On Sydney’s northern coastline, a new residence at Whale Beach reflects a measured approach to maintaining the scale and spatial logic of its predecessor while embracing contemporary design standards. Located approximately 40 kilometers north of Sydney’s central business district, Whale Beach is a prestigious suburb known for expansive homes overlooking the ocean. Amidst these grand properties, a recently completed house designed by Sydney-based architect Kelvin Ho stands out for its modest footprint and thoughtful integration with the landscape.
The site originally hosted a modest 1950s weatherboard cottage purchased in the early 2000s by David Rothwell’s parents, both architects. Initially intended as a temporary dwelling, the cottage became a family home for Rothwell, his wife, and their three children. Over time, the aging structure showed signs of deterioration, with termite damage and a leaking roof prompting plans for a replacement.
In 2024, Rothwell commissioned Kelvin Ho, founder of Akin Atelier, to design a new residence on the same site. Ho, returning to residential projects after recent work in hospitality, sought to honor the original building by retaining its roofline and spatial footprint. The new design preserves the cottage’s placement on the block while introducing two additional levels below the original structure to accommodate the family’s needs.
The house is organized into three primary levels. Entry from the street leads to a ground floor housing an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, alongside a master suite. Below that, the lower-ground floor includes three bedrooms, a secondary living area, and bathroom facilities. The lowest level contains a mosaic-tiled swimming pool and an adjacent pool house equipped with a steam room.
Material choices throughout the project emphasize durability and a connection to place. Ho incorporated mottled timber cladding and corrugated zinc roofing, materials selected for both aesthetic qualities and their aging characteristics in a coastal environment. Original Sydney sandstone from the cottage’s foundations was repurposed to construct a wood-burning fireplace and a basin in the ground-floor powder room. Inside the home, finishes such as microcement walls and blackbutt timber flooring were chosen for their resilience and understated appearance.
The interior design balances simplicity and sophistication, combining existing furnishings with curated vintage and contemporary pieces sourced internationally. The layout focuses on functionality and restraint, allowing ocean views to remain the dominant feature. Strategic placement of windows and doors frames the seascape, while solid walls provide intimate, less expansive spaces to enhance the impact of these vistas.
The ground-floor arrangement proved especially practical earlier this year when Rothwell experienced a sporting injury, enabling him to live comfortably on one level while his children occupied the lower floors. The pool area, dubbed “The Resort” by the teenagers, serves as a social hub featuring lounge chairs, a fire pit, a large fridge, and direct access to the nearby beach.
After more than 16 years on the site, Rothwell regards the newly completed home as a place well suited to long-term living. The project demonstrates how careful preservation of scale and spatial relationships, combined with modern materials and design sensibilities, can revitalize a coastal property without overshadowing its natural context.