Small sustainable design on North Stradbroke Island

The architecture of these detached holiday retreats on North Stradbroke Island encapsulates a recent trend towards small, sustainable house design. Paul Butterworth Architect designed the homes in response to a brief requiring cost-effective, versatile design that was carefully tuned to the Stradbroke climate and lifestyle. Designed to accommodate both large gatherings or an intimate couples retreat, central decks form the core of both dwellings, with the compact interiors opening up to and borrowing from the outdoor deck spaces. The building form, materials and colours were chosen to dissolve into the natural hues, shadows and textures of the bush surrounds.[photography by Aperture/Scott Burrows]