The Sanctuary | Residential Architecture Project

A Margaret River coastal residence shaped by terrain, outlook, and endurance

Project Overview

The Sanctuary is a coastal residence in Margaret River, located in Western Australia’s South West, designed for a client whose connection to the region spans decades.

What began as a school friendship evolved over time into both a professional collaboration and a shared understanding of place. The brief was not simply to design a house, but to create a base. A place to return to. A place to reconnect with friends, landscape, and a slower rhythm of life shaped by the coast.

The project unfolded over many years, allowing the design to develop alongside the client’s life. That time was essential. It enabled a deeper response to the site, and a more personal resolution of the architecture.

Discovering the Right Place to Build

The site itself is both dramatic and unforgiving.

Positioned at the end of a steep gravel track, the property sits on a rugged hill above a valley where a river winds its way toward the Indian Ocean. The land falls away sharply in all directions, with no obvious place to build.

The final house site was not selected from plans. It was discovered in the landscape.

After months of searching, we climbed into the branches of a wind-shaped tree to understand the view properly. Sitting there together, looking down the valley and out to the ocean, the decision became immediate. That was where the house needed to be.

That moment defined the project.

Building Against the Constraints of the Land

Coastal Living in Wilyabrup

Constructing a home in Margaret River on a site like this required patience and persistence.

There were no flat areas, no turning circles, and no straightforward way to bring materials onto the site. At one point, helicopter delivery was considered.

Instead, the site was gradually shaped through extensive earthworks. Rock was cut back. Platforms were formed. Deep piles were driven to stabilise the structure where clay and boulders sat beneath the surface.

This process took years before the building could properly begin.

The complexity of the site did not limit the project. It defined it.

Architecture That Extends Toward the Landscape

The brief called for a modern coastal home that could engage directly with the scale and drama of the site.

The design responds through:

  • A form that projects outward toward the valley and ocean
  • Clear separation between the main house and guest accommodation
  • An infinity pool positioned between the two, reinforcing the connection to the horizon
  • Roof forms that respond to the seasonal path of the sun

The house is open where it needs to be, and protected where it must be. It allows the landscape to remain the dominant presence.

Materiality and Craft

The material palette is grounded in the textures and tones of the South West.

Donnybrook stone was selected for its connection to place. Each piece was split and laid by hand, forming curved walls that anchor the building to the site.

Polished limestone extends through the living areas, connecting interior spaces with the surrounding terraces.

Large glazed openings bring light and outlook into the home, while maintaining a constant visual connection to the valley and coastline beyond.

The construction required care, time, and a high level of craftsmanship. The result is a building that feels both robust and resolved.

A Home Designed for Living, Not Just Looking

While the setting is dramatic, the house is ultimately designed for use.

The interiors, developed in collaboration with Susanne Hunt Architecture and Interiors, balance comfort with durability. This is a home intended for gatherings, for extended stays, and for returning to year after year.

It supports the lifestyle it was designed for. Informal, connected, and grounded in place.

A Project Defined by Relationship and Time

The Sanctuary is not just a coastal house in Margaret River. It is the outcome of a long-standing relationship, a shared history, and a deep respect for the land.

Projects like this cannot be rushed. They require time to understand the site, the client, and the balance between the two.

For Theo Mathews Architect, this project reflects an approach to residential architecture in Western Australia that is personal, considered, and enduring.

FAQ

Where is The Sanctuary located?
The Sanctuary is located in Margaret River in Western Australia’s South West, set on a steep coastal site overlooking a valley that leads to the Indian Ocean.
What type of home is The Sanctuary?
It is a custom-designed coastal residence created as a private retreat, balancing everyday living with the experience of the surrounding landscape.
What made this project unique?
The project was shaped by both the complexity of the site and the long-standing relationship with the client. The house was positioned after physically exploring the land, including identifying the final site from within the branches of a tree to fully understand the view.
How did the steep site influence the design?
The steep terrain and limited access defined both the construction process and the architectural response. Extensive earthworks, deep piling, and careful positioning were required to stabilise the structure and maximise views across the valley and ocean.
What materials were used in the home?
The project features Donnybrook stone, polished limestone, and large glazed openings. These materials were selected for their durability, connection to the Western Australian landscape, and ability to age naturally over time.
Who designed The Sanctuary?
The Sanctuary was designed by Theo Mathews Architect, with interiors by Susanne Hunt Architecture and Interiors.
Is this a typical coastal home design in Margaret River?
No. While many homes in Margaret River respond to coastal conditions, this project is defined by its extreme site constraints, its cantilevered form, and the level of integration with the surrounding landscape.
Can Theo Mathews Architect design homes on difficult sites?
Yes. This project demonstrates experience in designing homes on steep, complex sites across Western Australia, including coastal and rural locations where access, terrain, and environmental factors require a highly considered approach.