NOX BYRON BAY

The brief for Nox Byron Bay called for a contemporary hinterland “lodge” akin to modern New Zealand gabled farmhouses. The design was to include four bedrooms, pool, spa, sauna, study, gym, media room, cellar, streams of natural light and large windows to embrace the abundant verdant views in opposing directions.

Located on a 4,045m2 site high on an east-west ridge line, the site boasts panoramic vistas towards the ocean on the north & green rolling hinterland to the south-southwest. Initially a renovation of the existing house, it was quickly realised at the outset that to achieve our clients’ vision the original structure needed to be stripped down to its bare bones and to essentially start from scratch. Working over top of the existing home’s footprint simplified the Council Approval process and reduced cost.

The design primarily focused on being a family home whilst embracing the surrounding views at every turn. The understated and elegant foyer features a circular staircase and offers a glimpse of what lies beyond. Moving into the main living spaces the ceiling heights explode to 4.8 metres to theatrically reveal the views of the surrounding hinterland to both the north and south. An inherently “cruciform” shaped plan, the kitchen, living, dining, outdoor entertaining and pool form the central north-south axis. The master suite occupies its own wing to the west, whilst the three additional bedrooms are placed to the east, thus maximising privacy and separation of functions within the home.

Each bedroom and master suite feature picture windows and private ensuites complete with baths strategically positioned to capture the impressive views. A lower level, accessed via the spiral staircase, leads to a gym, sauna, cellar and media room, adding further functionality to the space. The square set walls and ceilings, which deliberately negate the need for skirting boards and architraves, and minimalist detailing employed throughout serve to further heighten the views, scale and theatre of the internal spaces.

Turning their back on the “Byron Bay white house’ trend, our clients favoured a minimalist palette of black and white to assist the home to blend into the countryside and emphasise the lush green views. A black-stained, rough-sawn ironbark cladding was chosen to give a similar feel to the popular Japanese “Shou Sugi Ban” charred timber without the risk of flaking or damage over time. Soaring walls of glass flood the interiors with natural light and add to the sense of abundant space. Floors of distressed limestone give texture underfoot, bluestone in the bathrooms and white Venitian plaster add softness, as do the lighter-toned curtains and rugs.

Nox embodies a harmonious blend of practicality and aesthetics, creating a bold yet calm space where modern living meets natural beauty with effortless sophistication.

Project credits:

Architects: Nic Raczka (Project Architect for Davis Architects), Ed Davis, Dylan Robinson // Interiors: Huntress & Hound // Furniture and Furnishings: Island Luxe // Builder: Greg Lyon Constructions // Landscapes: Cooke Landscape Architecture ; Elemental Gardens & Landscapes // Photography & Video: Pacific Media

Publications:

Domain Prestige AFR Magazine – “Midnight Marvel”