Sorrento

Relaxed and open in atmosphere, the home balances expansive living spaces with a sense of warmth and shelter, creating an environment that feels both restorative and deeply grounded in its setting.

Dark external finishes allow the home to recede gently into the surrounding bushland, while the interiors shift deliberately lighter in tone. Timber-lined ceilings, natural stone, and neutral finishes create a calm and tactile palette that feels connected to the coastal landscape beyond. Large stacker doors dissolve the threshold between inside and out, allowing daily life to move easily between the living spaces, alfresco, and pool.

The clients envisioned a holiday home that would become an escape from the pace and structure of city life. More than a secondary residence, they wanted a place centred around slowing down, entertaining, and reconnecting with family and friends in a relaxed coastal setting.

The brief focused heavily on ease of living and long-term functionality. Every space required for day-to-day living was positioned on the ground floor so the home could operate comfortably for the couple alone, without reliance on the upper level. Upstairs was intentionally designed as a dedicated guest retreat, allowing visiting family and friends to gather comfortably while preserving the quieter rhythm of everyday living below.

The steeply sloping site introduced a series of logistical and construction challenges that required careful planning from the outset. Site access was constrained by a narrow-unsealed road and low-slung powerlines, limiting vehicle movement and requiring proactive coordination across trades and deliveries throughout construction.

To maintain reliable all-weather access during the build, a temporary concrete driveway was installed to support truck movement on the steep terrain. These early construction strategies reduced disruption on site and allowed the project to progress with greater control and certainty despite the physical constraints of the location.

The design draws directly from the character of the surrounding coastal bushland, balancing openness with warmth and retreat. Material selections were intentionally restrained and natural, with timber and stone finishes chosen to reflect the textures and tones of the landscape so the home would feel embedded within its setting rather than imposed upon it.

Inside, the design was shaped around light, volume, and connection. Raked ceilings create a strong sense of openness within the main living spaces, while timber cladding lining the ceilings introduces warmth and intimacy. Large stacker doors open the central living areas fully to the garden and outdoor entertaining spaces, allowing the home to breathe naturally and reinforcing the relaxed coastal lifestyle the clients had envisioned.

The project was shaped through a collaborative process focused on clarity, lifestyle alignment, and long-term liveability. From early planning through construction delivery, decisions were guided by how the clients wanted the home to feel when they arrived — calm, effortless, and connected to its surroundings.

Careful spatial planning ensured the home could adapt seamlessly between quiet everyday use and larger gatherings with family and friends. Despite the technical complexities of the site, the outcome feels relaxed and resolved, with every detail contributing to a home that supports both retreat and connection in equal measure.