This Family Home in Australia Is a Love Letter to the Sea

The small village of Woolgoolga, otherwise known as "Woopi," lies 30 minutes north of Coffs Harbour, along the scenic coastline of New South Wales in Australia. The nearest city is four hours away, and the rural region’s mild climate and sandy beaches have lured vacationers for years.

John and Ingrid Rorke are both 76, and they spent holidays in Woopi with their extended family from Queensland for several years before they found a block of land that felt like home. Located in the Woolgoolga headlands, the north-facing plot is protected from prevailing winds and offers uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean.

From the beginning, the couple envisioned a "timeless, hardwearing beach house" for their multigenerational family. In 2018, they solicited the help of Mathieu Levesque and Julie Derrick of Levesque & Derrick Architects (LADA) to bring their vision to life.

Before building in Woopi, the Rorkes maintained a residence in Peregian on the Sunshine Coast, near the holiday house of the late architect Geoffrey Pie. That award-winning property was a great source of inspiration for the couple as they planned their future home.

Borrowing aspects from Pie’s residence, they imagined a space with one main level, a large living area, and a deck that would provide both sun and shade. They also wanted the home to have a striking architectural presence, and to be made of simple, honest materials that would stand the test of time.