Bawley Point 01 House by Watershed Architects – A Coastal Retreat Redefined

Located on the serene south coast of New South Wales, Bawley Point 01 House by Watershed Architects reimagines a classic Australian beachside dwelling into a warm, contemporary family retreat. Led by architects Mark Korgul and Matt Cernec, the project transforms an existing modest brick home into a spacious, multi-generational holiday sanctuary that preserves the township’s relaxed coastal character while enhancing its connection to the landscape.

A Deeply Personal Site for the Architect

For Mark Korgul, Bawley Point is a place layered with personal history—surf trips, family holidays, and years spent visiting while studying at Canberra University. This familiarity shaped the design ethos: a home that feels rooted in place, celebrates simplicity, and honors the unpretentious charm of Bawley Point.

While many coastal towns have replaced post-war shacks with oversized contemporary houses, Bawley Point has maintained its quiet, laid-back identity. The architects embraced that restraint, designing a home that respects the original silhouette while thoughtfully expanding space for extended family gatherings.

Adaptive Reuse with a Contemporary Coastal Identity

Instead of demolishing the existing brick home, the team retained much of its original structure. The former house—now bagged and painted white—contrasts with the new addition clad in black Weathertex, creating a distinct visual layering between old and new.

The original footprint of roughly 100 square meters has now more than doubled to 240 square meters, accommodating:

• Four bedrooms, including a new primary suite
• Two generous living spaces
• Expansive decks and balconies designed for year-round outdoor living

Despite its expansion, the home still sits gently behind the grassed foreshore, maintaining the relaxed rhythm of the local coastline.

Designed as a Year-Round Gathering Home

The brief focused on creating “a house to gather in”—a place where family, children, and grandchildren can come together comfortably throughout the seasons.

A key design feature is the large east-facing deck, complete with:

• Built-in barbeque
• Expressed timber details and joinery
• A fixed aluminium privacy screen facing neighboring homes
• A retractable awning on the northern edge to temper summer sun

Additional balconies enhance the indoor–outdoor experience, including a garden-framed balcony at the front and a spacious upper-level deck flowing from the main bedroom suite.

Light, Space, and Coastal Material Warmth

Replacing the original home’s low ceilings and enclosed rooms, the new design opens up vertically with double-height spaces at the entry and main living area. Natural light floods the interior, emphasizing timber beams, warm material palettes, and a stunning open fireplace—perfect for cooler months.

The kitchen embraces the casual coastal lifestyle with:

• Low-maintenance laminate joinery
• Stone benchtops
• A layout that prioritizes views and outdoor connection

Two separate staircases—an internal stair near the entry and an external stair connecting the decks—support functional circulation and easy access during family gatherings.

A Secret Coastal Escape Preserved

Four and a half hours from Sydney, Bawley Point remains a peaceful escape for those in the know. And like the township itself, Bawley Point 01 House embodies simplicity, comfort, and understated beauty. Watershed Architects have created a contemporary coastal retreat that respects its origins, enhances family life, and remains grounded in the natural landscape that makes this region so cherished.

All photographs are works of Simon Whitbread