Terrigal Apartment

Built in the 1940s and acquired by the client’s father in the late 1950s, the original duplex served as a holiday home for generations of the family. By the early 2000s, the modest structure no longer met the evolving needs of its extended family, and it felt tired in comparison to Terrigal’s transformation into a thriving, year-round coastal hub.

The site was uniquely fan-shaped and surrounded by multi-storey apartment developments, requiring a careful response to both scale and privacy. Initial proposals centred around two apartments above ground-level parking: a holiday residence for the client's adult children and their families, and a larger, multi-level penthouse for the client’s eventual permanent residence. 

The approved 2004 development application was later refined into a scheme comprising three single-level apartments positioned above a basement carpark. This approach offered a more efficient and flexible outcome, while maintaining the original intent for multi-generational use. 

The project balances the complexities of urban coastal development with an enduring family beach residence. Careful attention was paid to maximising natural light and privacy, all within the site’s tight parameters and under the shadow of nearby large-scale buildings.