Providing a sanctuary for extended family to reconnect with nature, Waitpinga Retreat was conceived as a coastal escape and as a weekender to disconnect when in residence. Sitting nestled between bushland and sea, the home embraces its site with a purposed clarity, with expansive views that provide elementary shelter and protection from the weather.

Organised into two distinct zones, with the main living and master bedroom contained within one zone, and the guest area spread over two levels to the opposite site, the home connects via a flexible central breezeway gesture. As both an adaptable threshold as well as serving as an outdoor room and a social gathering hub, the space is also able to be transformed into a sunroom in winter, and to welcome cooler breezes in the summer months.

Characterised by remnant bushland of pink gums and grass trees, the formal and material approach references local shearers’ sheds, elevated on steel posts and clad in fibre cement and timber. This lightly placed structure encourages cross-ventilation and passive cooling (sideways and underneath) and maintains a connection to the surrounding environment.

With sustainability as a core underlying principle, the home operates off-grid, harnessing solar energy and collecting rainwater for use on site. A slow combustion fire warms the space during colder months, utilising fallen timber for heating. From its simple form and robust materiality, Waitpinga Retreat aims to balance an intimacy together with an openness, where a relaxed lifestyle amongst an immersive natural context is optimised.