Conceived as a unified architectural composition, the two dwellings are envisioned as siblings- related yet distinct. They share a coherent design language and robust material palette, carefully calibrated to respond to the site’s environmental conditions and to celebrate its extraordinary natural context.

Approached via a driveway flanked by mature paperbarks, the houses remain partially concealed before revealing themselves as sculptural, four-storey forms. These volumes are connected by a monumental ziggurat stair, cast in off-form concrete, which serves as a central circulation spine and spatial threshold. At the elevated dune-top living level, the architecture opens out to courtyards and glazed pavilions with panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean to the east and native bushland to the west.

The architectural expression is stratified, echoing geological layering. The base- formed in monolithic concrete- houses parking and services. This transitions to sustainably sourced tallowwood cladding around the living and bedroom levels, before culminating in lightweight zinc and glass pavilions at the uppermost floor. These top-floor living spaces offer uninterrupted views of the coastline and ocean horizon.

A central courtyard, intersected by a raised lap pool and framed by off-form concrete and tallowwood screens, separates the two houses. This shared space balances privacy with connection, offering filtered light, ocean breezes, and framed landscape views.

Internally, the planning is finely tuned to the site, maximising natural light, ventilation, and outlooks. In the southern dwelling, a double-height void draws light into the heart of the floor plan and enhances vertical connectivity, supporting passive cooling and spatial generosity. Material selections emphasise coastal durability while maintaining a refined aesthetic: polished concrete floors deliver thermal mass and practicality; timber-lined ceilings introduce warmth and texture; and detailing in Calacatta marble and bronzed metals offers moments of quiet luxury.

Sustainability is integral to the design approach. The houses are passively designed, with deep eaves, operable louvres, ceiling fans, and strategic glazing to control solar gain and promote cross ventilation. Thermal mass is employed to regulate internal temperatures, reducing the need for mechanical cooling. Locally sourced, natural materials—such as tallowwood and zinc—were chosen for their longevity, low maintenance, and low embodied energy, ensuring the houses age gracefully in their exposed coastal setting.
Over time, the buildings have weathered naturally, with timber elements silvering and metal finishes developing a soft patina. Set within native landscaping and framed by the existing paperbark trees, the houses now appear deeply embedded in their environment—an elegant extension of the dune and forest landscape.