Kombumerri People
Queensland
Gold Coast and Northern Rivers
GOLD COAST, QLD – Straw and Dunne with PMGArchitect are thrilled to reveal River House, a fresh take on waterfront living in harmony with Little Tallebudgera Creek. Designed as a seamless dialogue between natural elements, this sanctuary offers a light-filled retreat that feels both grounded and weightless.
The home balances a solid stone base with a luminous, batten-clad upper level that glows like a lantern at dusk. By utilising a northern clerestory light scoop and a kinetic wall, the house invites river breezes to act as a natural cooling system; it doesn't just sit on the land—it breathes with it.
Inside, a central social heart connects the family while private retreats, a cascading wet-edge pool, and a riverside mooring offer quiet reflection. With universal, no-step access throughout, River House is a warm, inclusive invitation to experience the Gold Coast’s premier aquatic lifestyle.
A Reflection on Life in the River House
River House proves "connected independence" is a daily reality. The battle-axe arrival serves as a perfect decompression zone; at the stone entry, the world falls away.
The zoning is flawless—offering us sanctuary in the library and master retreat while our sons enjoy their own domain undisturbed. The triumph is the light: the northern clerestory floods our south-facing void with warmth. When the kinetic door lifts, the ground floor merges entirely with the river. It is effortless, functional, and peaceful—a masterclass in architectural harmony that has fundamentally elevated our family's way of living.
Lee Dunne FRAIA, Design Architect
Patrick McGuinness RAIA, Project Architect
Sandra Dunne, Interior Designer
Cuzens Regan, Structural Engineer
PGS Management, Cost Consultant
Chilton Woodward & Assoc, Hydraulic Consultant
BGSM, Building Surveyor
Rocket, Building Surveyor
P & D ENGINEERS PTY LTD, Civil Consultant
Coastal Energy Consultants, ESD Consultant
Steve Cooper & Associates, Building Surveyor
Dr. Jan Jervis, Graphic Artist, Consultant