The Retreat

2023
Traditional lands of the Goodjinburra people of the Bundjalung Nation

Drawing its name from the site’s legacy, this home enjoys a remarkable (and enviable) location as an acreage block on the ocean edge, protected by the native landscape of casuarinas and coastal banksias. The site is completely invisible from the street so can extrovert itself and enjoy an unfiltered connection to its context along the east coast of northern New South Wales.

A resort sized swimming pool and outdoor entertaining area built around a large banksia tree form the centre of gravity for the site. The kitchen, centrally located on the fulcrum of the internal and external living areas, affords an open plan, casual living experience as one would expect in a coastal ‘retreat’. An external spiral stair connects the ground plane to the private realm of the house on first floor, which encourages direct engagement with the landscape and context. Deep eaves to the north protect the large openings that define and reinforce the seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.

A Mediterranean inspired “white wall” architecture is countered with the darker zinc cladding, timber, and stone which bookmark the home in the landscape. The use of spotted gum timber internally offers warmth and references the strong presence of eucalypts, native to the area.

Shaun Lockyer, Michael Ford, Lyle Mitrovich and Kevin Li for SLa
M2 Construct
AS Landscape Design

Brock Beazley Photography