Great Australian Sandcastles

Perched over the cliffs the Holman is an iconic architectural centrefold, having graced the covers of dozens of international magazines. Designed by Neil Durbach and Camilla Block the house was born out of a long and experimental design process. The site plunges 70m over a cliff to the ocean and even after the clients had signed off on the design Neil had doubts it would work.

The Australian Institute of Architects voted this house the best in the country by awarding it the 2010 Robin Boyd prize. It’s the first time a Tasmanian house has received such an honour, and surprisingly the design is effectively an alteration and addition not a new residence. Located an hour west of Hobart it’s well hidden. From an elevated position every window and door along its southern elevation commands a water view across to Bruny Island.

Along the Great Ocean Road about 20mins south of Lorne, you’ll come to Separation Creek. Perched on the headland facing Bass Straight is one of the countries ultimate beach houses. Built of lightweight cement sheeting it echoes the fibro beach shack much loved by all Australians. The house has a very small footprint and with its green façade it all but disappears into the hillside. Indeed, during filming a kookaburra was so comfortable it laid a claim to the balcony, strutting with confidence, as if to say, ‘what’s everyone doing in my home?’

Is it an ancient ruin, some unique rock formation, maybe something from outer space? On first approach the Beached House is hard to comprehend, let alone describe. This unusual house sits isolated in an open landscape and makes no apology for touching the earth heavily! Rationalising its external geometry is difficult. All you need to know is that the angles and soaring roof planes form exciting and comfortable internal spaces. Designed for a Melbourne couple and their extended family the plan is surprisingly simple.

This little house has a big story to tell. Designed by a local architect for an international rock star who with his wife has literally gone to the opposite end of the world to get away from it all. Brian Ritchie is the ex bass guitarist from the Violent Femmes, how he ended up in Tasmania, living in his own private musical sanctuary is an extraordinary tale.

This Queensland award winner is set in its stunning natural surroundings on Hamilton Island. The residence is sculpted from concrete, stone, block work and glass resulting in a sequence of dramatic volumes incorporating airy living spaces and private sheltered outdoor zones. Terraces are fluid extensions of internal spaces capturing cooling breezes. Swimming pools, reflection ponds and strategically positioned trickling waterfalls soothe both indoors and outdoors.

Explore a home beside one of the most popular Northern Beaches of Sydney. Designed for a surfing family, the open plan Japanese inspired design is congruent to their love of the coast.

Join Peter as he visits a home in the richest vein of award-winning seaside architecture in Australia. Clad in copper, its dramatic cantilevering geometry almost knocks you over on approach.

Peter visits a classic piece of beach architecture, inspired by the early foundations of surfing at Freshwater beach nearly 100 years ago.

Peter visits a sandcastle that stands as one of Sydney's finest. The more you look at this home, the more you love it, as it preserves the memories of an old home in a new one.

Visit a house that follows the contours of the hilltop where it sits, taking advantage of the amazing views of the rugged coast and drawing in the sun from all angles.