Beyoncé and Jay-Z Just Bought a $200M House That’s Not Everyone’s Idea of Curb Appeal

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There is no question that Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s latest real estate purchase was expensive. The couple just bought the priciest home ever sold in California, dropping $200 million on a compound in Malibu that’s just steps away from the ocean. The real debate? How homey it actually is. So far, Reddit users have compared the massive complex to a “fancy high school,” the “Avenger’s headquarters,” and LAX. The sheer size of the place is hard to wrap your head around (it’s 40,000 square feet) but we’re guessing most people are taken aback by the ultra-minimalist design: it’s essentially all concrete. (Catch a glimpse of it here).

The mind behind the building, Tadao Ando, is known for the impressive concrete structures he’s built across the globe. But the Japanese architect doesn’t just like to use it because it happens to be resistant against fire, rot, and weathering and is a naturally cooling surface—he gravitates toward the material because it’s a part of our everyday lives. “I believe that the emotional power in architecture comes from how we introduce natural elements into the architectural space,” Ando previously told Architizer. His work has caught the attention of other A-listers who have a thing for vast, Brutalist spaces, including Kim Kardashian, who released her own line of pricey bathroom accessories made out of concrete last year. 

Once you’ve seen as many homes as we have, you learn that concrete is only as industrial as you make it. Sure, fill a house built out of it with light gray furniture and a steel staircase and it’ll come off cold, but warmth is achievable. Here are a few easy ways the power couple can ensure their new residence reads less like an airport terminal and more like a retreat. 

Introduce Vibrant Tile

Myth: concrete can’t be colorful. Truth: The bold raw concrete tiles in this kitchen designed by Rhonda Drakeford give it funky Rubik’s Cube vibes. 

Bring on the Glass, Big and Small

Large skylights and floor-to-ceiling panels help bring you closer to sunlight and nature, whether that’s in a bedroom or in a detached sauna, like the one at Magdalena Wosinska’s desert getaway. In completely closed-off areas, antique light fixtures will lend a sense of delicacy to the super-sturdy material. 

Soften It Up with Marble and Wood

The floor tiles in this Melbourne bathroom are a direct nod to the home’s austere facade but the milky white backdrop of the marble counters and grainy oak wood vanity doors make it look suited for a luxe residence. It’s giving vacation energy, not fancy high school.

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