“Our clients requested a Coastal vibe,” says Penny Del Castillo, Founder and Creative Director of Studio del Castillo. “Something that was ‘comfortable chic’ and ‘relaxed luxury,’ without being ostentatious.” Embodying both resilience and comfort, the overall vision was for the home to combine and balance its people and place seamlessly. It’s an effort achieved through the expressed rawness of the exposed architectural structural elements together with the warm layering internally.
The home itself sits perched amidst an undulating coastal landscape and needed to have presence as well as relating sensitively to everything already in place naturally. In response to the surrounds, KGB House combines boldness with a sculptural intentionality. Within the brutalist-inspired form is a series of softened insertions that bring a tactile depth and richness to the experience of moving through the generously scaled spaces.
A deliberate contrast is created between the architecture and the interior that celebrates both a permanence and a liveability, while expressing the owners at the same time. “The massive structure is intentionally nestled into the sand dunes with a considered and respectful integration of landscaping elements that then also minimise an overall external impact,” Del Castillo notes.
“Our design philosophy was strongly influenced by the natural and organic elements of the nearby ocean, the sand, the rusted shipwreck (located on the beach not far from the home) and the flora from the sand dunes,” she adds. “Each of these elements played a part in how we ultimately curated our approach – from architectural materials to textiles, artwork, objects and lighting throughout.”
At its core, the functionality and planning of KGB House pivots around a centrally located kitchen that was designed for bringing people together – for connection, performance and celebration all in one. Drawing from extensive experience as a chef, the owner wanted the kitchen space to act as a hybrid drawing from both the intimacy and familiarity of a residential kitchen on one hand, and commercial efficiency and scale on the other.
“We embarked on one of the most specific, stringent wish lists I have ever encountered in 30 years of design practice,” Del Castillo recalls. “Many trades deemed it near impossible [to make each element work within the space], but we [as designers] refused to accept limitations as impossibilities.”
The kitchen and bar — wrapped in bronzed brass and an extensive use of Dekton — exist as sculptural elements within the home, seamlessly blending function and artistry. Every detail was considered for longevity, ensuring resilience against the harsh coastal environment. “First and foremost, we were driven by durability and practicality (to combat the oceanfront location and almost ‘hotel-like’ wear and tear performance),” Del Castillo explains. “We skilfully sourced materials that would offer aesthetic relief to contrast the brutalist nature of the concrete architecture.”
Focussing on people, experiences and the stories that unfold within, the home was designed to celebrate family bonds, whether through intimate game nights or larger-scale entertaining events. “So many small and large details are sprinkled across the property,” Del Castillo reflects. “Particularly the effortless integration for family connection to puzzles and games plus large group entertainment. But I suppose one of the most obvious is the artwork, each piece representing a significant place with deep connection the family have travelled to.” With a deep respect for the surrounds and connection to place, and through overlaying a meticulous approach to detail, KGB House emerges as a considered family home of longevity. Wanting to be able to pass the home over to generations to come, it has been conceived beyond the present – not just for today, but for tomorrow.
