North Beach Home
Carved into a dramatic sand dune and sheltered amongst mature pine trees, the residence is carefully positioned to capture views across the golf course and out towards the Pacific Ocean. Rather than compete with the architecture, the lighting design was developed to reinforce its powerful relationship with landscape, materiality, and light.
Site Strategy
The project sits within a light pollution sensitive environment, requiring a restrained approach to exterior illumination. Rather than uplighting the architecture or surrounding landscape, illumination was kept deliberately subtle and respectful of the site’s natural darkness. To support movement throughout the property, portable battery-powered luminaires were integrated into the lighting control system, allowing residents to carry light with them as they move around the site. Charged from dedicated docking points and fully dimmable, these fittings provide flexibility while maintaining the design intent and protecting the surrounding environment.
Design Intent
A defining feature of the scheme is the use of oversized recessed downlights that mirror the large architectural cut-outs found throughout the home, particularly within the bedroom spaces. These luminous voids wash the threshold between inside and outside with soft, diffused light, creating the impression that daylight continues to pour into the home long after sunset.
Deeper within the architecture, the lighting becomes more focused and intimate, with carefully placed accent lighting drawing attention to texture, form, and a collection of statement decorative luminaires. As the client remarked, “let the light be the sculpture.” With minimal reliance on artwork or decorative objects, light itself became a primary design element.
Technical Scope
Our scope encompassed architectural lighting, decorative lighting, and lighting controls design, allowing a holistic approach from concept through to completion. The result is a lighting scheme that enhances the architecture by day and night, delivering a carefully controlled visual experience while allowing the surrounding landscape and extraordinary setting to remain the focus
Material Expression
Materiality was approached with similar restraint. The lighting palette was limited to two carefully considered finishes: luminaires finished to disappear into the Venetian plaster ceilings, and custom bronze elements selected to complement the home’s architectural detailing. This disciplined approach ensured the fittings felt fully integrated into the architecture rather than applied to it.
“We have used Sam to assist us with lighting calculations and modelling for some of our projects. Sam is extremely professional and always delivers on the timeframes set.”
Richard Thorburn - ECC