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‘It is my strong belief that all architecture should be somewhat “vernacular” and of a place,’ Mima Architects principal Jemima Manton says.
This ethos shines bright in her redesign of a Newport penthouse apartment, which feels perfectly grounded within its relaxed coastal setting, nestled amongst Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
With sandy limestone floors and eclectic interiors, the material palette takes its cues directly from the landscape to create a more personalised take on the typical coastal aesthetic that blurs the boundaries between inside and out.
Using summer motifs like ‘salted pistachio sorbet’ and her client’s boat, a Nimbus 365 Coupé, for inspiration, Jemima also looked to the work of Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi — known for her interpretation of Brazilian tropical modernism.
‘I enjoy how she makes hard, rough materials homely and uncomplicated,’ she adds.
This renovation focused on creating a similar atmosphere. In the kitchen, a coffee and sand-coloured tile forms a durable, checkered splashback set within pistachio-coloured joinery. Aubergine is hidden inside the cupboards as a playful nod to the actual pistachio nut.
A robust stainless-steel bench, brass fittings, terracotta tiles, and Venetian plaster on the ceilings further emphasise the home’s earthy character. Metallic accents throughout are a subtle reference to the client’s nautical lifestyle and regular fishing trips, while the powder room features Cole & Son Acquario fish wallpaper and ancient reef marble.
‘There is a high level of craftsmanship and handmade components within the project. We wanted something that would age well within the harsh environment.’
With strict controls over the highly regulated Class 2 building, the apartment layout was slightly reorganised around a large central spine of joinery that serves the kitchen, living and master bedroom, maximising storage space. Builder Luke Ziman of Iceberg Enterprises was also instrumental in managing ongoing negotiations with the strata group on site.
‘Good design follows good planning. You can dress walls with expensive materials, but if the plan doesn’t work, it will always feel funny,’ Jemima adds.
However, the project’s real excellence lies in its rejection of what Jemima calls the ‘standard high-end Sydney apartment playbook’.
‘Where others reach for polish and technology, Newport Apartment pursues warmth, robustness and longevity.’
The solid walnut joinery will patina with use; the brass and nickel fittings will improve over time; everything has been calibrated to feel better in ten years than it did on day one.
