A Coastal Dream Home That Appears to Hover Above the Landscape

August 5, 2025
Designed to maximise every bit of sunlight, ocean breeze, and coastal outlook, this modern home balances open, sociable spaces with a grounded, private retreat above.

Tucked into Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this newly built home by Watershed Architects is perched with a sweeping north-easterly view across Curl Curl Beach. Designed to maximise every bit of sunlight, ocean breeze, and coastal outlook, it balances open, sociable spaces with a grounded, private retreat above.

Arrival to this modern home is via a lower-level entry that also houses a garage and generous utility and storage zones, practical and discreetly integrated into the base of the structure. From here, the home unfolds upward, revealing more of the view and more of its carefully layered design.

Arrival is via a lower-level entry that also houses a garage and generous utility and storage zones, practical and discreetly integrated into the base of the structure. From here, the home unfolds upward, revealing more of the view and more of its carefully layered design.

Arrival to this modern home is via a lower-level entry that also houses a garage and generous utility and storage zones, practical and discreetly integrated into the base of the structure. From here, the home unfolds upward, revealing more of the view and more of its carefully layered design.

At the rear, the house opens toward the beach-facing side, where an expansive terrace and garden lead to a swimming pool designed for both relaxation and spectacle. The terrace is positioned to soak up the morning sun and late afternoon light while catching cooling breezes straight off the ocean. Above, the architecture expresses a clear contrast: the upper bedroom level is formed as a solid timber volume that seems to float above the glazed living areas below.

At the rear, the house opens toward the beach-facing side, where an expansive terrace and garden lead to a swimming pool designed for both relaxation and spectacle. The terrace is positioned to soak up the morning sun and late afternoon light while catching cooling breezes straight off the ocean.
At the rear, the house opens toward the beach-facing side, where an expansive terrace and garden lead to a swimming pool designed for both relaxation and spectacle. The terrace is positioned to soak up the morning sun and late afternoon light while catching cooling breezes straight off the ocean.
At the rear, the house opens toward the beach-facing side, where an expansive terrace and garden lead to a swimming pool designed for both relaxation and spectacle. The terrace is positioned to soak up the morning sun and late afternoon light while catching cooling breezes straight off the ocean.
A modern swimming pool and terrace.

On the main level, floor-to-ceiling glazing wraps the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen zone. This level connects directly to both the garden and the beach-facing terrace, blurring indoor and outdoor living. Designed for entertaining and everyday comfort, it’s all about flow, light, and uninterrupted views.

On the main level of this modern home, floor-to-ceiling glazing wraps the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen zone. This level connects directly to both the garden and the beach-facing terrace, blurring indoor and outdoor living. Designed for entertaining and everyday comfort, it’s all about flow, light, and uninterrupted views.
On the main level of this modern home, floor-to-ceiling glazing wraps the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen zone. This level connects directly to both the garden and the beach-facing terrace, blurring indoor and outdoor living. Designed for entertaining and everyday comfort, it’s all about flow, light, and uninterrupted views.
On the main level of this modern home, floor-to-ceiling glazing wraps the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen zone. This level connects directly to both the garden and the beach-facing terrace, blurring indoor and outdoor living. Designed for entertaining and everyday comfort, it’s all about flow, light, and uninterrupted views.

A central stair connects all levels, acting as a vertical spine through the home. Transitioning from the more open and transparent living spaces to the private upper floor, the stairs mark a shift in materiality and mood.

A central stair connects all levels, acting as a vertical spine through the home. Transitioning from the more open and transparent living spaces to the private upper floor, the stairs mark a shift in materiality and mood.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom enjoys a private balcony that captures an elevated view over Curl Curl beach, secluded yet still connected to the ever-present beachscape.

This primary bedroom enjoys a private balcony that captures an elevated view over Curl Curl beach, secluded yet still connected to the ever-present beachscape.
This primary bedroom enjoys a private balcony that captures an elevated view over Curl Curl beach, secluded yet still connected to the ever-present beachscape.

The bathrooms are designed to feel calm and grounded, a continuation of the home’s restrained materials palette. Natural light filters in to soften stone and timber finishes, elevating the everyday with subtle touches of luxury.

This modern bathroom is designed to feel calm and grounded, a continuation of the home’s restrained materials palette. Natural light filters in to soften stone and timber finishes, elevating the everyday with subtle touches of luxury.
This modern bathroom is designed to feel calm and grounded, a continuation of the home’s restrained materials palette. Natural light filters in to soften stone and timber finishes, elevating the everyday with subtle touches of luxury.

This home by Watershed Architects isn’t just about catching the view, it’s about shaping every corner of daily life around light, breeze, and the rhythm of the coast. It’s a thoughtful balance of openness and enclosure, built for modern living by the sea.


Photography: Simon Whitbread Photography | Design: Watershed Architects | Builder: Lawson and Lovell Building Services