Inside the legendary house with a spectacular view of the coastal landscape

Within a magical home set against an ever-changing backdrop of the ocean, it is clear that Macmasters Beach House is a family home that allows its owners to live peacefully alongside nature. Nestled in the headlands, there is a wild Australian character that is evident throughout the design of the home. Embracing the idea of barefoot luxury within a magical home, Polly Harbison Design has imbued the coastal home with simple principles while providing the owners with a home where they can experience the incredible views.

With solid and open concrete and exposed eaves, the design and architecture of the beach house allows the materials to speak for themselves. Furthermore, the remaining bush surrounding the house has been carefully enhanced and considered, keeping the footprint of the house as small as possible while still providing plenty of space for the family inside. Polly Harbison Design has also retained much of the landscaping to encourage the existing vegetation on the property to regenerate.

Once inside the magical home, a tour of the home reveals the deep connection between natural and man-made elements. Journeying up a cantilevered concrete staircase surrounded by a green wall, the tour of the home reveals a stone paved deck that wraps around the home and provides a variety of outdoor areas for the family to enjoy and relax.

The open plan living and dining rooms within the magical home are equally proportioned, giving the residence a warm and welcoming feel. Through careful balance between architecture and landscape, the architect encourages the surrounding natural landscape and the greenery of the garden to become part of the home itself. Upstairs, the rooms are purposefully smaller, with large windows facing the sea. Downstairs, the children’s room is designed to look substantial as it opens onto the spacious lawn outside. With its well proportioned proportions, Macmasters Beach House strikes a clear balance between providing for the family and appearing as a modest structure while still enjoying the simple life.

00:00 - Introducing the Magic House
00:45 - Beautiful coastal location and its core principles
01:25 - Guide to the house
02:59 - Focus on indoor-outdoor connection
03:25 - Completing the project and its finishing touches
04:14 - Protecting the surrounding bushland
04:45 - Proud moments
Photography by Derek Swalwell.
Architecture by Polly Harbison Design.
Built by Paterson Builders.
Styling by Room on Fire.
Landscape by Michael Cooke Garden Design.
Engineering by Tihanyi Consulting Engineers.
Joinery by Fine Earth Joinery.
Timber doors by Bakers Joinery.
Filming and editing by Emble Studio.
Produced by Local Projects.

Location: Macmasters Beach, New South Wales, Australia

The Local Project acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of land in Australia. We recognise the importance of First Nations peoples to our country’s identity and continued connection to Country and community. We pay respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples of these lands.

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