Buderim by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

A solid stone wall shields Buderim from the street, offering little indication of the expansive, light-filled sanctuary beyond.

Designed by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture, the home reveals itself gradually, each space unfolding toward panoramic views of the Sunshine Coast. A single aperture in the stone facade offers a glimpse inside, while a landscaped courtyard guides the approach. At 145 metres above sea level, the house is both grounded and elevated – its materiality anchoring it to the site, its openness embracing the changing sky and sea.

The material palette is both restrained and expressive, with timber, brick and stone forming a cohesive composition that responds seamlessly to the climate and context, their patina gently softening over time.

Planned around an H-shaped configuration, the home creates distinct yet connected zones. One wing houses the main living areas, where the boundary between indoors and out is all but erased. The other accommodates bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, offering a sense of retreat akin to a boutique hotel. Linking the two is a garden room, a space that mediates between enclosure and exposure. Opening onto both the entry courtyard and the pool terrace, it invites natural light deep into the home and encourages a constant awareness of the surrounding landscape.

The material palette is both restrained and expressive, with timber, brick and stone forming a cohesive composition that responds seamlessly to the climate and context, their patina gently softening over time. As both clients and builders, the owners collaborated closely with local trades to prioritise craftsmanship at every stage. Timber battens introduce moments of lightness, filtering air and light while enhancing privacy. The landscape design, drawing inspiration from Noosa’s coastal boardwalks, becomes an integral part of the home’s experience.

The architecture does not impose itself but instead guides, revealing moments of quiet grandeur through its layered sequencing of space, light and materiality.

Sustainability is embedded at every level. Passive ventilation – operable clerestory windows, deep eaves and strategic openings – supports natural cooling, while a solar array generates ample energy for daily use. The restrained footprint and thoughtful orientation maximise thermal performance, allowing the home to operate at net zero.

Though outward-looking in its connection to the landscape, it’s ultimately a sanctuary – crafted for a couple navigating the transition to an empty nest. Its design supports both solitude and sociability, allowing spaces to expand and contract in response to daily rhythms. The architecture does not impose itself but instead guides, revealing moments of quiet grandeur through its layered sequencing of space, light and materiality.

Its design supports both solitude and sociability, allowing spaces to expand and contract in response to daily rhythms.

Alexandra Buchanan Architecture has delivered a home that embraces its setting without being beholden to it. Through a balance of precision and restraint, Buderim is a place to retreat, reconnect and observe the shifting qualities of the world outside.

Architecture and interior design by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture. Build by Xceed Building Solutions. Landscape design by Conlon Group.