Dream House | Modern Billy’s Bay home at one with nature

It lies somewhere between the world of the known and the unknown, lost in time, perchance in somewhat uncharted territory.

The atypical place in question, below the radar, is a narrow fishing beach with dunes covered in fine brown sand and vegetated with palm trees and shrubs – within a protected bay of rugged coastlines. Its dry environment is located on the island’s southwestern section in an area known as Billy’s Bay, St Elizabeth.

The relentless search and consequent discovery of this previously vacant one-acre site took some 12 years for the Reid family, who eventually chanced upon it.

The unique, contemporary architectural form with its modern-flavour-style, shapes the spaces within, none more spectacular than the interior entrance courtyard! Imagine an open-air, tropical outdoor garden space (hidden from outside view), filled with luxuriant trees, plants, and a bridge-crossing koi fish pond, literally inside the house itself. Just unbelievable!

Six bedrooms (air-conditioned and ceiling fanned) lull you to ethereal sleep, with the main one championing front and rear viewing balconies, along with its indoor and outdoor showers. There are five bathrooms ensuite.

The downstairs living areas open wide to digest the courtyard, verandah, the infinity pool and surrounding timber deck. Unfettered aquamarine sea views are from everywhere.

Insitu-terrazzo floors run throughout, with its added advantage of, basically, having no joints – just smooth, uninterrupted tile surfaces. Kitchen cabinetry is of cedar wood, with counters fashioned from quartz. The walls are painted in white (inside-out), with unlimited natural light bouncing joyously off them. They act as galleries for prominent Jamaican artwork, adding to the artistic ambience. The roof is of slab concrete with an entertainment deck.

Indulge yourself with the beach scene almost at your doorstep and frolick or relax on it all day long. It’s always there for you – it has nowhere going.

For architecture that excites its location and thrills its occupants, we include it in the Dream House series.

- Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.