THE DESIGN FILES – “A Contemporary Re-Imagining of Robyn Boyd’s Fenner House”

Featuring Las Palmas Byron Bay

Words by Amelia Barnes // Photography by Tom Ferguson

“Las Palmas is an equally casual and luxurious home inspired by Robin Boyd’s Fenner House where owner Sally McGarry grew up. A significant example of 20th century Australian architecture, the house’s post-war regional style had a lasting impact on Sally, whose family still reside within the 1950s Canberra home. 

Duo Architects in association with Davis Architects were tasked with designing Sally’s new family home in a similar mid-century style. At the same time, the home needed to be integrated into the Byron Bay hinterland landscape, practical for a young family to live in, and able to operate part-time as a luxury accommodation venue.

Las Palmas’ architecture is genuinely inspired by the two-wing floor plan of the Fenner House. These two wings (one for sleeping and one for communal spaces) lie long and low in the landscape – their unbroken horizontal lines emphasising the undulating hinterland hills that surround them.”

For the full article and more images click here.

Project credits:

Architects: Duo Architects in association with Davis Architects // Contractor: ASEC Building // Landscapes: Larc Landscapes & Lime Landscapes // Photography: Tom Ferguson