New House, Completed 2025.
Awabakal Country, Newcastle East NSW
Cowrie Hole House is conceived as a contemporary coastal terrace, composed as a linear sequence of four interconnected pavilions cascading down the site. The design carves sheltered courtyards between each, tempering prevailing winds, admitting sunlight and framing views, while dissolving the overall mass into a finely scaled composition.
![]()
The build presented a number of difficult challenges given the narrowness, length, steepness and orientation of the site. The project is also exposed to wild surf, wave innundation and some of the most extreme weather conditions in Australia. The design was developed around the idea of prospect and refuge: how you might exist in the house on a beautiful day versus bunkering down during an east coast low.
Builder: GTS Constructions
Engineering: ACOR Consultants, IZZAT Consulting Engineers
Landscaping: Fytogreen
Photographer: Alex McIntyre and Clinton Weaver
Similar Projects: Ocean House, return to all projects
Awabakal Country, Newcastle East NSW
Cowrie Hole House is conceived as a contemporary coastal terrace, composed as a linear sequence of four interconnected pavilions cascading down the site. The design carves sheltered courtyards between each, tempering prevailing winds, admitting sunlight and framing views, while dissolving the overall mass into a finely scaled composition.
Anchored into the headland, the house employs a palette of grey blockwork and off-form concrete to evoke a ruinesque permanence and offering resilience to the harsh coastal conditions. These robust forms are softened with natural stone and warm spotted gum interiors, creating a tactile dialogue between weight and warmth.
The build presented a number of difficult challenges given the narrowness, length, steepness and orientation of the site. The project is also exposed to wild surf, wave innundation and some of the most extreme weather conditions in Australia. The design was developed around the idea of prospect and refuge: how you might exist in the house on a beautiful day versus bunkering down during an east coast low.
Builder: GTS Constructions
Engineering: ACOR Consultants, IZZAT Consulting Engineers
Landscaping: Fytogreen
Photographer: Alex McIntyre and Clinton Weaver
Similar Projects: Ocean House, return to all projects
New House, Under Construction
Awabakal Country, Newcastle East NSW
Murray Avenue presented a number of difficult challenges given the narrowness, length, steepness and orientation of the site. The project is also exposed to wild surf, wave innundation and some of the most extreme weather conditions in Australia. The design was developed around the idea of prospect and refuge: how you might exist in the house on a beautiful day versus bunkering down during an east coast low.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Builder: GTS Constructions
Engineering: ACOR Consultants, IZZAT Consulting Engineers
Photographer: Clinton Weaver and Alex McIntyre
Similar Projects: Ocean House, return to all projects
Awabakal Country, Newcastle East NSW
Murray Avenue presented a number of difficult challenges given the narrowness, length, steepness and orientation of the site. The project is also exposed to wild surf, wave innundation and some of the most extreme weather conditions in Australia. The design was developed around the idea of prospect and refuge: how you might exist in the house on a beautiful day versus bunkering down during an east coast low.
Builder: GTS Constructions
Engineering: ACOR Consultants, IZZAT Consulting Engineers
Photographer: Clinton Weaver and Alex McIntyre
Similar Projects: Ocean House, return to all projects