Case study

Designing Above the Coast: An Award-Winning Australian Home

A spacious terrace overlooking the ocean, featuring a circular seating area, outdoor grill, and modern glass structures. The scene captures a cloudy sky and waves gently crashing on the beach below.

Overview

Perched above Seven Mile Beach in New South Wales, this three-storey coastal residence offers sweeping views of Berry’s Bay. Defined by strong architectural intent, open-plan living, and a seamless connection to its spectacular coastal surroundings, it is both visually striking and highly functional.

Details

Status

Complete

Contractor

Futureflip

Images

Joshua Hill

Products used

A modern rooftop terrace featuring a glass-walled structure surrounded by greenery and white stones. The skyline shows residential buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.

Free Standing Skybox Rooflight

Project Overview

Designed and built by FutureFlip and conceived as a no-compromise family abode, the build combines bold architectural expression, floor-to-ceiling expansive glazing, refined materials, and advanced engineering to create a home that delivers on the client’s vision at every level. In acknowledgment, it has been widely recognised within the industry, receiving both the Australian People’s Choice Award and the Australian Custom Build Award at the 2026 HIA Australian Housing Awards. It represents a benchmark for contemporary residential design, where craftsmanship, innovation, and holistic thinking come together.

A modern two-story house with large glass windows, overlooking a landscaped yard with stone features and palm trees. The house has a flat roof and a terrace area furnished with white chairs and a table. Other homes are visible in the background.

Engineering The Site

Positioned on a steep rock shelf, the site required significant structural intervention and was carefully excavated and stabilised to create a secure platform for the home, while ensuring long-term durability and effective drainage.

The property also features an advanced geothermal system, using six 100-metre boreholes to efficiently heat and cool the home, pool, and spa. Hydronic underfloor heating and smart controls further enhance comfort and energy efficiency.

A sleek red sports car is parked in a modern garage with a minimalist design. The garage has a smooth stone floor and is partially open, revealing a landscaped area with greenery and a pool adjacent to the structure.

Crafted With Attention to Detail

Every aspect of the home has been designed with quality and precision in mind and is reflected within the material selection. Custom features include a marble shower, a sink CNC-carved from a single block of travertine, bespoke storage solutions, and a technically engineered garage designed for high-performance vehicles.

A modern, spiral staircase with smooth white walls curving around it. A large skylight above reveals blue skies and fluffy clouds. Natural light floods the space, enhancing the sleek architectural design.

Light, Access & Architectural Expression

To take full advantage of the coastal setting, a key element of the design was the integration of a rooftop terrace. Manufactured in the UK and shipped to Australia, a custom glazed Box Rooflight was positioned above the central staircase and floods the interior with natural daylight, creating a strong visual connection to the sky above. Designed by Glazing Vision and developed in partnership with Next Generation Glass, the rooflight incorporates solar-control glazing to minimise heat gain while maintaining clear views and abundant natural light.

Award-Winning Accolades

Recognised as one of Australia's leading custom homes and awarded in the HIA ‘Custom Built Home Over $4 million’ category, the project has received multiple industry accolades, including: