Twenty Hall is a boutique apartment and retail building located metres from Bondi Beach. Comprising ten generous apartments atop a corner retail tenancy, it’s a contemporary extension of the original Bondi Post Office. The design respectfully retains the original building fabric from the 1920s whilst sculpting new fenestrations that reference the existing architecture. The material palette is rigorous to meet the demands of a coastal environment whilst providing a clear delineation between new and old. Finely detailed windows punched through a light sandstone clad façade places further emphasis on the brickwork of the existing Post Office fabric.

The corner position has an established angled geometry that the new building adopts with angled sandstone blades to filter views, protect glass from the hot summer sun and offer privacy. Its sculpted form, and vertical emphasis, marries with the predominant art deco style of the neighbouring buildings and draws connections to the rugged coastal location.The scale of the building is informed by its surrounds, completing the street wall wrapping around Hall Street and Jacques Avenue, utilising the existing setbacks of the Post Office. The result will be a new gathering point at street level with well-appointed dwellings above.

The building maximises passive solar design. Each apartment is arranged to benefit from cross ventilation and natural daylight. The inclusion of a wintergarden in all but one apartment creates a flexible indoor outdoor space sheltered from the elements and the lively streets below. In addition, energy efficient fixtures and fittings and low-water fixtures are utilised throughout and solar PV panels integrated. Generous storage and 23 carspaces are provided in the 2-level basement.

The interiors are finely-detailed and simple to suit the rigorous geometry of the architecture, while pursuing a timeless, classic aesthetic.  The selected materials complement the architecture and introduce luxury and detail to the interiors. Off-white walls, ceilings, doors and trims are married with elegant stone tile flooring and refined joinery.

The kitchens combine Dekton with marble benchtops, integrated appliances and understated clean, modern detailing. This includes many finer quality details such as handle-free joinery, tailored benchtop details, thick cupboard doors, and linear bar grills concealed behind stone, which reinforce the quality of this development.

The apartments were able to be customised  with a dark or a light kitchen scheme, as well as two configurations – one with a cooktop within the joinery and the other with a cooking space integrated in the island bench and additional storage behind. Upgraded appliances and timber flooring were available on request.

The bathrooms feature sophisticated warm porcelain wall tiles, cove lighting and concealed services. The basin and WC are integrated into full-height mirrored joinery units that are built into the walls, creating large volumes of storage without the appearance of bulky joinery. The iron bronze trims and fixtures reinforce the timeless aspiration and marry with the door furniture used throughout the building.

SMART DESIGN STUDIO ARCHITECTURE FROM INSIDE OUT