Nilo Brighton, designed by Tom Robertson Architects, stands as a testament to refined living in East Brighton, Victoria. This dual residence masterfully merges privacy, security, and warmth, offering a luxurious experience reminiscent of a high-end hotel. The design balances these elements with a sense of openness and connection to its natural surroundings.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Location: East Brighton, Victoria, Australia
Architecture & Interior Design: Tom Robertson Architects
Photography: Tom Ross
Build: Histyle
The façade of Nilo Brighton is a harmonious blend of light brickwork, timber cladding, and batten window screens, all thoughtfully chosen to reflect the natural tones of its bayside setting. This material palette not only creates visual continuity between the exterior and interior but also imparts a warm, inviting character to the structure. A horizontal steel awning at the roof and middle levels adds a touch of elegance while providing essential weather and sun protection. The detailed steel contrasts beautifully with the solid brick, enhancing the building’s overall aesthetic. The side entry is cleverly concealed behind the main façade and accessed via a secure gate. Visitors approach this entrance through a linear landscaped courtyard, offering a private, secluded pathway that ensures maximum separation from the street.
Inside, the design continues to impress with a seamless transition between the external and internal material palettes. Brick blade walls, which extend from the outside, anchor the interior spaces, linking them cohesively with the building’s exterior. These walls, combined with timber floors and warm veneer joinery, introduce texture and warmth, contrasting with the robust exterior and adding a welcoming atmosphere. Central to the home’s layout is a courtyard that the kitchen, dining, and living areas wrap around. This design allows for abundant natural light and a strong connection to the outdoors, creating a space that feels both expansive and intimately connected to nature. The kitchen, featuring light timber finishes and soft, neutral tones, flows effortlessly into the living and dining areas, establishing a cohesive, open environment where family and friends can gather comfortably.
The ground floor of Nilo Brighton is characterized by its openness and light-filled spaces. Large glazed areas ensure that the interior is bathed in natural light, with continuous views of the central courtyard enhancing the sense of space. This layout not only promotes a feeling of openness but also ensures a smooth flow throughout the home, making it easy to move from one area to another. In contrast, the upper level is designed with a more subdued, private atmosphere. Timber batten screens filter light and views, providing the bedrooms and private spaces with a sense of retreat and calm. The primary bedroom, with its warm timber paneling and soft natural light, exudes a serene, minimalist elegance. The consistent use of neutral tones and linear motifs throughout these spaces reinforces the project’s overall sense of restraint and cohesion.
Tom Robertson Architects has thoughtfully considered the flow and relationship between different areas of Nilo Brighton. The layout allows for a clear separation between public and private spaces, ensuring that areas intended for retreat, such as the bedrooms, remain secluded and peaceful. Despite this separation, there is a unified connection that ties the entire home together, creating a cohesive living environment where each space feels naturally linked to the next.
In Nilo Brighton, Tom Robertson Architects has achieved a careful balance between openness and privacy, crafting a dual residence that is both connected to its environment and finely attuned to the lifestyle of its inhabitants. The result is a home that offers a luxurious, hotel-like experience while providing the comfort and warmth of a private sanctuary.
