Matyas Architects & Interiors are excited to share our recent feature with The Local Project, where John Matyas and Nina Matyas discuss the design vision behind our newly completed Bay Street Mixed-Use Building in Brighton.
This landmark project represents a refined approach to mixed-use Architecture, balancing commercial functionality with residential sophistication. In the interview, John and Nina delve into the inspiration behind the design, the challenges faced during the process, and how the building responds to its urban and coastal context.
As both the residence of our Founding Director, John Matyas, and headquarters for our studio, Bay Street mixed-use provides a living example of our studio’s approach and John’s 38 years of practice.
“After looking for a few years to find the right new home of our studio, we came across the opportunity to build in a mixed-use neighbourhood, which has a nice blend of offices, retail and residential use.” John and his wife loved it so much so that their plan for a new studio became a plan for a new home over the Studio, with a commercial space at street level.
From the use of natural materials that reflect the surrounding landscape to the carefully crafted spatial layouts that enhance light, movement, and livability, every element of 264 Bay Street was designed with intention.
“A key design consideration when deciding to make this building our home was to introduce a green front entry space as a separation zone to the street. This was achieved by setting the lower position of the building back from the street boundary, giving us the opportunity to landscape and create double height voids for tree canopies.”
The idea was to minimise the palate of materials, keep plasterboard to a minimum and celebrate structural concrete and exposed brickwork throughout
“Another key design goal was to introduce some sculptural forms into quite a conventional flat streetscape. The decision to feature off-form concrete in the building allowed us the opportunity to express a deep rolled edge soffit to the street, finished with a timber board texture to give it a real hand-crafted quality.”
Watch the full interview and read the full article here:
264 Bay Street, Brighton – The Local Project
Architecture and Interior Design by Matyas Architects & Interiors. Build by Hendco. Landscape design by Le Page Design.