Located on a lofty site in Bellevue Hill, this project by KA Design Studio combines the best of Sydney living with the essence of a dreamy Mediterranean escape. A solid foundation in terms of a clear brief from the owners set the tone for March House. The couple had been living in the old house for some time and had a good grasp of the site’s benefits – where the best winter light fell, where they wanted a good view to the street – and what they needed the new build to deliver in terms of practicalities. They also had a definite vision for the look and feel of the home, one inspired by Mediterranean vacations.

Sebastian Kaintoch and Christian Campoy of KA Design Studio understood the essence of the brief. “Their key phrase was ‘barefoot luxury,’” says Kaintoch. “We wanted everything to be textural, with a mixture of rough and smooth materials that make you want to touch them. The home needed to have a certain elegance, but nothing too precious.” From this starting point, the pair worked with the clients to pinpoint the tones and textures that would capture the feel of a Southern European escape.

The first challenge, says Kaintoch, was interpreting the Med holiday brief for a permanent home, one in Sydney’s uniquely challenging climate. Pale rough render and deliberately simple, clean lines capture the soul of a Greek retreat. But behind the intentionally unembellished surface lie all the functions and accoutrements of a high-end Sydney residence. Decorative pergolas and deep overhangs allow for frequent torrential rains, while dehumidifying systems combat the city’s humidity. VRV air conditioning and hydronic underfloor heating were installed for climate control, along with elements like smart home technology, a lift and an in-floor pool cleaning system, making maintenance of this generously sized home a breeze.

Where Sydney aligns with the Mediterranean is in its mild climate, which makes outdoor living a year-round joy. Making the most of alfresco spaces was, then, an essential part of the design. The sloping site steps down to a tennis court on the lower level, fringed with lush landscaping by Myles Baldwin Design, while the pool is several metres up, level with the rumpus room on the lower-ground floor. At street level, the main living and entertaining areas open to a central courtyard, which Kaintoch describes as the home’s centrepiece – particularly for these clients, who are enthusiastic entertainers. The space is dominated by an arched outdoor fireplace with a Brazilian quartz hearth. “Fire and water bring people together,” he says. “It’s tapping into the basic needs of a human to provide a place where people can sit outside, have a drink and look at the fire.”

Inside, KA Design Studio has captured the light of the Mediterranean with generous apertures – including striking oculi punched through slab – combined with a textured palette that softens the harshest sunlight. This interior scheme was a collaboration with Chloe Matters of Matters + Made. Lime plaster on the walls forms a gentle, matte backdrop for a palette dominated by neutral hues, mellow curves and organic materials.

As Featured in The Local Project.