Natural selection

River pebbles, raw concrete and stainless steel give this bathroom a modern edge

A close up view of the pebbled walls architecture, ceiling, glass, interior design, wall, window, gray, black — A close up view of the pebbled walls and floor.

A view of a bathroom, wooden cabinetry, stone architecture, bathroom, ceiling, glass, interior design, lobby, room, gray, brown

Modern light fittings and ventilation systems allow an internal bathroom to work well. However, if you are able to bring in natural light and views, the space immediately becomes far more pleasant.

So, when architect Todd Ray of Studio27 was asked to renovate an internal bathroom in this apartment, he looked beyond its walls for inspiration.

"The decor of the existing bathroom was outdated, and the space was small. In contrast, the new bathroom receives natural light and feels much more spacious," he says.

To achieve this, Studio27 swapped a solid wall between the bathroom and master bedroom for a fixed glass window, and added a clerestory window between the bathroom and living room. To slightly increase the size of the bathroom, it now incorporates space that was previously a hallway, allowing a larger spa bath to be included.

"As well as introducing natural light into the bathroom, these two internal windows provide amazing views of the city and nearby cathedral even from the bathtub," says Ray.

The new bathroom also has a contemporary feel, created by contrasting primitive and high-tech materials, he says.

The vanity and other cabinetry in the bathroom are custom made from vertical bamboo. Gray river pebbles, the color of natural bamboo, cover the walls, the floor and the sides of the spa tub.

"Both the color and the appearance of the river pebbles add an aquatic feel to the space," he says.

During the renovation, it was discovered the plaster covered concrete beams and columns in the bathroom were in good condition.

"So, we stripped them back to reveal a raw, natural look. This primitive state contrasts strongly with the highly machined quality of the stainless steel fittings, like the shower rod, bathroom hardware and the lighting system," he says.

To complement the beams and columns, the vanity has a cast-concrete countertop.