Gold Coast Drive
Effortless coastal living on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
locationCarrickalinga
floor area517 m2
completion2024
Effortless coastal living on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The brief for this award winning multi-generational family sanctuary at Carrickalinga on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula was for a home that caters to both lively gatherings and the retreat of quieter getaways.
Winning the Contract Home $1.5M to $2M category at the Master Builders SA – Building Excellence Awards 2025, this home frames breathtaking coastal views while maximising its prime coastal real estate. The front elevation is designed to balance and capture light, encourage cross-flow ventilation, and a central box gutter streamlines water management.
A complex interplay of volumes defines the home with the upper level and roof strategically overhanging in places to provide shade and weather protection no matter the season or wind direction.
The material palette and robust exterior finishes serve this home in good stead in its windswept coastal Fleurieu landscape.
A home of enduring beauty and thoughtful design, this Carrickalinga beach house retreat is as functional as it is breathtaking, and only a short drive from Adelaide. A true embodiment of coastal living at its finest.
Positioned at the heart of the upper level, the kitchen merges practicality with understated elegance. Its open-plan layout extends seamlessly to indoor, then outdoor alfresco dining on the balcony with a view.
A full-height stone splashback and exhaust fan shroud add a sense of effortless style, complemented by the island bench’s solid timber construction, a warm contrast to the kitchen’s refined contemporary aesthetic.
Tucked behind the kitchen, a butler’s pantry enhances functionality, while the wet bar, on the other side of the staircase, introduces a retro-inspired touch with sleek glass shelving and stone splashback. A central lift, wrapped by a sculptural staircase, future-proofs the home, ensuring ease of movement for years to come.
A generous walk-in-robe with its full height mirror behind the bench adds a sense of space, with its side lit mirror offering the right light for getting ready.
The master bedroom with its access to the backyard and louvre windows mean good access to cooling breezes and dips in the pool in summer.
The main living area is a place of comfort and connection. High-level louvre and awning windows enhance cross-flow ventilation, ensuring the home remains cool even in the height of summer, while maintaining access to ample natural light and winter solar heat gains.
A raked ceiling elevates the sense of space, while its acoustic ceiling panels subtly manage sound, creating a haven equally suited to lively conversation or quiet retreat.
A window seat tucked into the corner window provides an intimate vantage point for watching coastal storms roll in.
The fireplace, clad in floor-to-ceiling stone, anchors the living space, delivering warmth and texture.
Building on the coast requires special considerations of both the durable materials and careful construction details needed to ensure longevity while maintaining the refined aesthetic we are known for at Finesse Built.
This home has been designed to endure the coastal conditions of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the upper balcony is constructed with commercial-grade external cladding, heavy-duty powder-coated aluminium shading screens, and galvanised steel elements.
A plumbed-in BBQ transforms the large balcony into an entertainer’s delight, while privacy screens and operable dropdown shades offer adaptable protection from the elements. An innovative shading structure further mitigates exposure to the setting western sun, ensuring year-round comfort.
The lower level is a space designed for flexibility, catering to extended family and guests with ease. A kitchenette enhances independence for guests, making the lower level a self-contained retreat.
From the entryway, the eye is drawn through to the backyard, reinforcing the home’s seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Whether hosting a large gathering or enjoying a quiet moment, this level offers versatile spaces that adapt to the needs of its occupants.
Positioned on the upper level for optimal privacy and views, the master suite is an indulgent retreat. Thoughtfully separated from the home’s active entertaining areas, it features double-thick acoustic walls and solid timber doors, ensuring tranquillity for the owners to turn in earlier even if lively gatherings continue in the main living space
A walk-through robe leads to the ensuite, where a freestanding bath and dual vanity exude a sense of luxury. A half-circle window above the bathtub gives an individual and unique feature while the curved edge of the window softens the lines of the surrounding aesthetics while you soak in the tub
The master suite’s private balcony offers a quiet escape, with uninterrupted views stretching along the coastline, providing a perfect place to unwind at either end of the day.
This home is designed to host, with ample accommodation for family and friends.
Downstairs, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the coastal view in the two mini-master bedrooms, each with their own ensuite provide hotel-like comfort. A fourth and fifth bedroom, one with a dedicated bunk space ensures fun-filled family stays.
A spacious main bathroom features a wet-area design with a single-sheet glass walk-behind shower screen, an elegant yet highly practical touch.
A separate WC downstairs and a separate power room upstairs mean no waiting in line no matter how many are visiting.
A cleverly integrated laundry chute from the upper level streamlines daily living, offering convenience without compromising on style.
Accessed from the downstairs living area, the backyard is a haven from the stronger coastal elements, especially when the winds begin to rise. A central lawn is framed by citrus trees, crepe myrtles, and thoughtfully designed stone bench plinths, providing a space for relaxation and reflection.
A cobbled stepping stone path, softened by thyme plantings, leads to a bonus room across the garden, while an undercover deck ensures year-round enjoyment.
Whether seeking sun or shelter, this space invites connection with nature in every season.
Sustainability is at the core of this home’s design, ensuring it remains comfortable and energy-efficient in every season.
Solar panels on the roof harness renewable energy, reducing reliance on grid electricity and minimising the home’s carbon footprint.
Generous eaves, operable shading, and carefully positioned overhangs work together to shield the home from harsh sun, maintaining interior comfort while reducing energy consumption.
The lower level benefits from expansive overhead cover, providing additional thermal protection and enhancing the home’s passive cooling capabilities.
Upstairs, surface-mounted downlights preserve the integrity of the insulation layer, preventing unnecessary heat loss and ensuring maximum energy efficiency.
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