This residential commission called for an unexpected and compelling contradiction: to merge the austere materiality and sculptural weight of Brutalist architecture with the vibrant functionalism of Bauhaus interior design. While Brutalism champions monolithic form and raw, exposed structure, Bauhaus celebrates color, optimized geometry, and human-scaled functionality. Rather than softening or diminishing either style, our goal was to leverage their opposing characteristics to create a new interior vocabulary.
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Gold 🏆 Winner
International Interior Design Awards 2025
Rockhold Waterfront Residence
Residential Interior Concept
Firm
Kimmel Studio
Designer
Devin Kimmel
Design Team
Devin Kimmel, Dani Crawford, Eva Puteri
Location
Maryland, USA
Country
United States
Photographer/Copyright
Renders: PixReady
Architectural & Interior Execution
The home is sited on a quiet peninsula along the Chesapeake Bay, elevated gracefully on piles so that the structure appears to hover above its natural surroundings. The Brutalist shell, meticulously scaled and cast, anchors the building with a sense of permanence and raw integrity. This envelope becomes the stage upon which the Bauhaus interior unfolds.
Inside, the design is articulated through custom curved cabinetry and millwork in saturated primary colors—red, green, and blue—direct nods to the Bauhaus palette. These vibrant elements are paired with naturally fnished white oak, providing warmth and balance against the cool concrete architecture. This interplay of materials and color ensures that the interior reads not as an overlay but as an integral extension of the Brutalist frame.
Soft-textured furnishings in velvet and boucle introduce comfort, tactility, and acoustic balance. The clean-lined silhouettes of the furnishings and custom lighting reinforce the geometric precision shared by both Brutalist and Bauhaus philosophies. Strategic placement of these pieces creates zones for rest, gathering, and contemplation of the sweeping 180-degree waterfront views.
Sustainability & Environmental Response
Sustainability shaped every design decision. The structural placement minimizes disruption to the peninsula’s sensitive ecosystem, preserving existing vegetation and encouraging native plantings. Concrete fooring paired with geothermal heating reduces operational energy loads and avoids the environmental impact of hardwood production. Extensive foor-to-ceiling, energy-efcient glazing maximizes natural light, dramatically reducing daytime reliance on artifcial lighting and deepening the occupants’ connection to land, wind, and water.
Outcome
The result is a residence that synthesizes tension into harmony, where the monumental meets the playful, the rigid meets the human, and architecture and interiors merge into a unifed narrative. This project demonstrates that seemingly incompatible aesthetics, when thoughtfully integrated, can achieve a profound and unexpected elegance.