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Whale Beach by Shaun Lockyer Architects
Perched above Whale Beach in Sydney’s north, this oceanfront residence is a masterful study in materiality and connection to place, encapsulating the relaxed character of its surroundings.
Balancing a robust architectural form with the natural landscape, Whale Beach reimagines the relationship between built and natural environments, offering spaces of retreat and reconnection. “The clients had a long history with the site, having holidayed there for nearly 20 years,” says Shaun Lockyer, director of Shaun Lockyer Architects. “Their brief was to design a permanent residence that embraced the casual, relaxed qualities that initially drew them to Whale Beach.” The resulting home feels both grounded and elevated, with every detail designed to enhance its connection to the coastal environment of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Defined by a restrained palette of natural materials and a layered approach to spatial design, the house exudes an understated elegance that belies its complexity.
The architecture reflects the practice’s signature approach to regionally inspired subtropical modernism, drawing on Brazilian modernism and its integration of nature into built forms. Off-form concrete, weathered timber and natural stone form what Lockyer describes as “the holy trinity” of materials that define the project. “The character of this type of work is inherently about the honesty and integrity of the materials, which are predominantly natural and tactile,” he says.
This philosophy is particularly resonant in Whale Beach, where the warmer shades of sandstone and weathered timber cladding lean into the Australian beach house vernacular, drawing inspiration from the distinctive colour of the sand mere metres from the site. The bleached tones and textures of these materials reflect the surrounding landscape, creating a sense of connection between the architecture and its context.
The home’s configuration is both practical and poetic, tailored to the clients’ evolving lifestyle. Set across four levels, the design responds to the steep topography of the site, with its dual frontage offering distinct entry points. From the upper street, visitors are greeted by a formal sequence that moves through a landscaped garden to the front door, while a more casual beachside entry on the lower side of the property provides direct access to spaces tailored for post-beach rituals. Courtyards to the west provide quieter, protected spaces that draw light and air through Whale Beach. Every level is designed with a careful balance of scale and privacy, creating a home that takes full advantage of its position without imposing on the surrounding environment.
Internally, the spaces are organised into two modes of occupation: the top two levels are dedicated to the couple’s everyday living, while the lower levels accommodate their adult children, providing privacy and independence. Realised by Lockyer and his team – with Michael Ford and Adam Laming driving much of the design development and delivery – every space reflects a clear and purposeful intent. “An elevated pool on the ocean side of the living area and a sunken landscape courtyard on the western side punctuate the living area, which is very much intended as the heart of the home,” says Lockyer.
The interplay between light, material and landscape shapes the experience of the house, with skylights and elevated windows framing glimpses of the ocean and drawing natural light deep into the interior. In contrast, the children’s living spaces, excavated into the site, are deliberately darker and cooler – a counterpoint to the brightness of the beach and sun.
Integration with the natural environment is a central tenet of the project, with soft edges blurring the built form and biophilic design principles weaving planting into every aspect of the home. Designed by Dangar Barin Smith and installed by Robert Plumb Landscape, the predominantly native greenery grounds the house within its setting, while courtyard and rooftop gardens soften hard architectural edges and create moments of connection. “The eastern side of the property that connects to the ocean removes fencing and constructed edges, allowing the house’s placement and connection to the landscape to be appreciated in a broader context,” says Lockyer. Sustainable design practices – such as solar panels, low-energy glass, water tanks and low-maintenance materials – ensure the home’s environmental performance matches the longevity of its surroundings.
The interplay between light, material and landscape shapes the experience of the house, with skylights and elevated windows framing glimpses of the ocean and drawing natural light deep into the interior.
The material palette furthers this dialogue, with its tactile and timeless quality creating a cohesive aesthetic. Off-form concrete provides a sense of permanence while weathered timber and stone soften the architecture, adding warmth and tactility. Custom joinery and meticulous detailing elevate the interiors, ensuring every element contributes to the overall sense of tranquillity. “The tone of materials throughout the house are light, bleached and reflective of the coastal context within which the house sits.”
Through its considered interplay of materiality, landscape and light, Whale Beach embodies Shaun Lockyer Architects’ philosophy of creating meaningful architecture. As Lockyer reflects, “most importantly, completing a project as complex as this with clients you continue to share a warm and affectionate relationship with is the greatest testament to its success.”
Architecture by Shaun Lockyer Architects. Build by County Construction. Landscape design by Dangar Barin Smith. Engineering by Westera Partners.
