A Coastal Transformation

Project Overview

What began as a simple brief to design new timber decks quickly evolved into a comprehensive renovation. The original home—clad in dark-stained cedar and dominated by overgrown gardens and heavy stone retaining walls—was reimagined as a bright, open, and contemporary coastal retreat.

Working closely with an engineer, we introduced terraced retaining walls that transformed the backyard into layered outdoor living zones, bringing in light, air, and space. Inside, a formerly disjointed layout—comprised of a separate kitchen, dining, and lounge—was opened up. Angled ceilings were lifted with new exposed timber beams, and the dark timber panelling was removed to allow a seamless flow between spaces.

Using Enscape visualisation software, we demonstrated how a series of skylights could dramatically improve light quality and provide cross-ventilation. The result is a luminous, breathable home filled with natural light.

To enhance value and functionality, the laundry was repurposed into a fourth bedroom by extending into the workshop and connecting it to a new private deck. An outdated front office was transformed by reclaiming foyer space to create a larger bedroom with sliding doors opening onto a fernery, located beneath the elevated new deck. Raising this deck allowed for the installation of a full-height north-facing window, flooding the space with sun.

Given the coastal conditions and minimal original soffits, we extended the roof structure to improve weatherproofing and integrated ten skylights as part of a roof reclad—maximising both performance and cost-efficiency.

Tony's reimagined home now boasts six distinct outdoor living areas, each designed to catch the sun or provide shelter from prevailing winds—a thoughtful blend of architecture and environment.