Sunshine Beach House by Kelder Architects

Sitting on a hillside, this family home by Kelder Architects combines stand-out details, natural materials and seamless indoor-outdoor living for the perfect coastal retreat.

Designed by brothers Joel and Wesley Kelder of Kelder Architects, Sunshine Beach House illustrates a perfect blend of architecture and environment. Located in the picturesque coastal community of Sunshine Beach, Queensland, this home fulfills a dual purpose; it’s both a holiday retreat and an eventual permanent dwelling for a family that values togetherness and connection to nature.

Located in the picturesque coastal community of Sunshine Beach, Queensland, this home fulfills a dual purpose; it’s both a holiday retreat and an eventual permanent dwelling for a family that values togetherness and connection to nature.

The clients, who previously engaged Kelder Architects on a renovation in Brisbane, envisioned a five-bedroom residence with multiple living zones, capable of hosting their children, grandchildren and extended family. They sought a design that could transition effortlessly between relaxed holidays and everyday living, emphasising large, covered deck areas, outdoor entertainment features like a pool and fireplace, as well as an integrated workspace.

As the Kelder brothers reflect, the brief offered them the freedom to innovate. It was this trust that became the cornerstone for a design that balances architectural creativity with the practical needs of a family.

Enveloped by a coastal forest and just a short walk from the beach, the location inspired a structure that respects and works well with its surroundings.

Sunshine Beach House is situated on a triangular, hillside site, offering both challenges and opportunities that shaped its unique design. Enveloped by a coastal forest and just a short walk from the beach, the location inspired a structure that respects and works well with its surroundings.

“We were struck by this beautiful tree canopy when approaching the site,” says Joel. “It had this natural quality of shelter and respite from the exposed coastal environment. We wanted to retain these characteristics as much as possible.” The resulting design positions Sunshine Beach House as though it floats out of the site, giving the appearance of a smaller two-storey home while actually accommodating three open, expansive levels.

The placement integrates the residence into the hillside, creating a balance of durability and openness.

The placement integrates the residence into the hillside, creating a balance of durability and openness. However, Joel explains, “cutting the house into the site created the challenge of getting enough light into the back.” To resolve this, the dwelling wraps around a rear courtyard carved into the hill, featuring a mature olive tree that acts as a visual focal point and brings in natural light and ventilation. The courtyard fosters connections between indoor and outdoor spaces by lighting the home’s deeper areas.

Sunshine Beach House is defined by its interconnected spaces, achieved through considered voids and a central spiral staircase. Positioned as a sculptural element between the lounge and dining areas, the staircase evokes the natural curves of a seashell, bridging aesthetics and functionality. “The spiral stair sits within a larger, arch-shaped void that creates a light well and connects the upper and lower levels,” says Wesley.

Sunshine Beach House is defined by its interconnected spaces, achieved through considered voids and a central spiral staircase.

This use of vertical circulation and negative space unifies the three levels from the moment one enters the home. From the top floor, residents can glimpse the entry below, creating a visual dialogue between areas. This approach creates openness and continuity – a hallmark of the architects’ work – which can also be seen on the exterior. Shiplap cladding by Abodo extends from the facades to ceilings and walls, blurring the boundaries between inside and out and, in turn, bringing an inviting warmth and comfort to the home.

The materials chosen for Sunshine Beach House are as much about texture and tactility as they are about durability and aesthetics. Timber, stone and concrete dominate the restrained palette, reflecting the rugged coastal environment and fostering a sense of calm. This interplay of materials ensures the dwelling will age gracefully, blending into its natural surroundings over time.

Timber, stone and concrete dominate the restrained palette, reflecting the rugged coastal environment and fostering a sense of calm.

Off-form concrete especially adds a robust flexibility to the design. “The house has a really solid concrete skeleton, and this is wrapped in an adaptive timber skin,” says Joel, further adding that “concrete was chosen because it has this incredibly plastic quality … it will basically take any shape you want it to.” This adaptability allowed the architects to form the curved balconies and circular voids that define the dwelling’s geometry. Internally, concrete floors are practical and accommodate the wear of beachside living while enhancing the home’s durable nature.

The timber and natural stone featured inside and out – including Eco Outdoor’s Howqua stone and Endicott crazy paving – encourages tactile experiences, echoing the sensation of walking barefoot on the beach. The stone’s irregular textures and earthy tones, which mirror the coastal landscape, support a beautiful blend of natural and built elements. The crazy paving is especially impactful outdoors, where it leads from the front boundary wall, past verdant landscaping, to the house itself as “a first landing point,” says Wesley. Timber decking was also important in providing a surface that feels cool underfoot and was something the clients cherished about their previous home.

Sunshine Beach House offers a retreat from the harsh coastal elements while maintaining strong connections to its surroundings.

Sunshine Beach House offers a retreat from the harsh coastal elements while maintaining strong connections to its surroundings. For example, the expansive deck areas extend the living spaces outward, embracing views of the ocean and adjacent forest. Curved interior walls soften transitions and highlight the home’s tranquil atmosphere, while built-in seating creates intimate nooks for relaxation and conversation.

Both Kelders are particularly proud of the sense of freedom the home embodies. “It has this unrestricted and unconventional quality, in the sense that it’s not a typical sort of house layout,” says Joel. By adapting “age-old modernist principles” to the Australian coastal context, the design achieves a timeless elegance.

Sunshine Beach House is more than a structure; it’s a space for connection, reflection and evolution. By respecting the natural environment and prioritising the family’s lifestyle, Kelder Architects has created a home that feels both grounded and expansive. The deliberate material choices, innovative spatial connections and homage to the coastal landscape ensure it will remain a beloved family retreat for generations to come. As the house ages into its surroundings, among the trees, it will continue to reflect the enduring values that shaped its design.

Architecture by Kelder Architects. Build by G V Emanuel Constructions. Landscape design by John Hope Designs.