Following an earlier project together in Queenstown, this was a second opportunity to work with a returning client—this time on Australia’s east coast, in the relaxed seaside town of Lennox Head. Their brief was simple but open: to create a modern, contemporary family home that responded to the site and lifestyle, rather than a fixed aesthetic.

The site itself offered incredible potential, perched on a hillside with sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean. To make the most of this, the living spaces were elevated to the first floor, allowing the home to open up to the horizon while rising above the immediate street and landscape. A large, overhanging roof form was introduced to provide essential protection from the Australian sun and subtropical rain—creating shaded outdoor living spaces and helping to control heat gain within.

This move not only delivered functional benefits but also helped define the architectural character of the home. The result is a strong, clean form that feels both sculptural and purposeful—light-filled, open, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

Materiality played a key role in balancing the contemporary form with warmth and practicality. Bagged, painted white brick provides texture and visual softness, while also offering a robust, low-maintenance solution ideal for the coastal climate. Natural timber sunscreens and integrated planting further soften the building’s edge, bringing life and greenery into the design while offering privacy and sun control.

This project is a clear example of how thoughtful design—rooted in site, climate, and lifestyle—can create a home that is modern without being stark, and functional without compromising on beauty. It’s a home made for living well, with the ocean always in view.