Casa Terracotta: A Coastal Memory Reimagined in Coogee

Positioned above Coogee Beach, Casa Terracotta is a home shaped by memory, materiality and light. For homeowners Tommy and Amelia, the design was deeply influenced by the six months they spent living in Ibiza; a place defined by warmth, texture, softened forms and a close relationship to the coast.

Rather than recreating that experience literally, the home translates it into an Australian setting. Terracotta tones, earthy finishes, natural textures and curved architectural gestures work together to evoke the feeling of coastal European living, while the panoramic views of Coogee Beach ground the home firmly in its own landscape.

The result is a space that feels both personal and resolved; warm and textural on the inside, open to the blue of the ocean beyond.

Tommy, owner of Batiment Construction, led the transformation of the home, taking what was once a more enclosed layout and reworking it into an open, fluid living environment. The house was gutted to allow for greater connection between the kitchen, living and transitional spaces, creating a plan that feels generous, calm and intuitive. Amelia, a fashion designer, brought a refined sensitivity to tone, texture and composition, shaping the home with the same level of detail and restraint often found in her creative work.

The reference to Ibiza is most clearly expressed through the palette. Terracotta sits at the centre of the home, layered with warm neutrals, earthy tones and tactile materials that bring depth without overwhelming the space. These finishes were chosen not only for their visual warmth, but for their durability. Throughout the home, there is a clear focus on materials that can be lived with; finishes that will wear well, soften over time and continue to feel grounded as the home evolves.

This sense of warmth is balanced by the home’s connection to light. As the sun moves throughout the day, it creates shifting reflections, shadows and highlights across the surfaces of the home. Curved forms, textured finishes and tonal variation all respond to this movement, allowing the interiors to change with the light rather than remain static. It is this play between sun, texture and form that brings through the feeling of being on the coast of Europe; relaxed, atmospheric and constantly shifting.

The ocean view adds another layer to the design. From within the home, the blue of Coogee Beach creates a dramatic contrast against the terracotta and earthy interior palette. This relationship between warm and cool, interior and exterior, is central to the feeling of the home. The view is not separate from the design; it becomes part of the composition.

Curvature has also been used throughout to soften the architecture. Rounded edges, curved transitions and fluid joinery details bring a sense of ease to the home, moving away from hard lines in favour of something more organic. These forms help carry the Mediterranean influence through the space in a subtle, architectural way.

The same considered approach extends to the home’s finishes. Rather than using one metal throughout, Tommy and Amelia have layered dull brushed nickel, brass and bronze across the bathrooms and key areas of the home. Each finish has been selected for the space it sits within, allowing the metals to feel intentional rather than matched for the sake of consistency. The result is a more collected, natural palette; one that feels built over time, yet still cohesive.

Hardware plays a quiet but important role in this overall language. In the wardrobes, Airlie handles in American Oak have been used to bring warmth and tactility to the joinery. Their natural timber finish sits comfortably within the earthy palette, reinforcing the home’s connection to texture and materiality.

Across the doors, including the entry, Bellevue Plain Levers in bronze have been selected to add depth and subtle contrast. The bronze finish grounds the lighter tones throughout the home, offering a refined detail that feels both functional and enduring.

Casa Terracotta is ultimately a home defined by atmosphere. Its connection to Ibiza is carried through terracotta, texture, light and form, while its coastal Australian setting is celebrated through open planning and expansive views across Coogee Beach. Every detail has been considered for how it contributes to the whole; from the larger architectural gestures to the hardware touched every day.

Built by Batiment Construction, with hardware supplied through Keeler Hardware, Casa Terracotta is a study in warmth, durability and restraint; a home where European influence and coastal Australian living meet with intention.

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