Playoust Churcher Architects Turning Heads In Dee Why

Playoust Churcher - Turning heads in Dee Why

Architecture can be described as an art wrapped in a science and dictated by process. It is a field that requires intensive collaboration; however, it is the architect’s vision and execution skills that make or break a home’s intent.

Layed on top is the architect’s ability to interpret. To look at a site and not only take into account the client’s brief, but understand the possibilities in what may seem a challenging but potentially spectacular project, is a skill that is essential for successful architects.

35 May Road Dee Why is one such project. The site and the client brief presented a bit of a “knee wobbler,” requiring various creative solutions. This home was featured in a recent article by the Sydney Morning Herald as one of seven of its favourite homes for sale in New South Wales.

The site

A blank canvas on a battleaxe block, the sloping site was a graveyard of giant rocky outcrops, undulating curves, and inclines that gatewayed stunning elevated eastern ocean views. To the west, the views were of the hillside, and north and south were impeded by neighbouring property and other visual obstacles.

Excavating the rock and filling the site to maintain the elevation was cost-prohibitive. Additionally, the original owner sought a staged build to enable him to live on the site as the property was constructed. The brief was to create a living environment that is sensitive to the natural landscape, bold without being garish while maximising the views and natural light and pushing architectural conventions.

Playoust Churcher - A practical and creative approach

The solution - A practical and creative approach

Floating pavilions, three of them. Constructed from lightweight steel, each sits on top of the natural rock at considered elevation points to maximise the views from carefully orientated vantage points.

Pavilion one served as the owner’s garage and upstairs living apartment while the staged construction of the remaining two pavilions was underway.

The framework was constructed off-site, transported, and assembled like a giant piece of Meccano. This practical approach fulfilled several brief and zoning obligations.

The pavilions provided a light touch process, leaving the existing rock outcrops in place and ensuring the natural environment was mostly undisturbed. They offered the opportunity to install full-length walled glass to maximise the natural light and breathe in the east-facing views. Each pavilion could be staged to speed up the installation and reduce disruption to neighbouring property.

Importantly the pavilion design opened the idea to create linkages throughout the property. The linkages were a critical design element creating a unique opportunity to circulate light and air and arrange cleverly crafted demarcation points between private and public areas within the internal layout.

Transforming the raw into a richness

The final piece of the puzzle was the external landscaping features. The team designed an array of outdoor courtyards, grassed areas, and gardens. These spaces encapsulated the entire property, creating visual harmony from every viewpoint.

This astute design element disguised unsightly sections of the site and blended the landscape artfully into the property for a low-maintenance spectacle that completes the property’s aesthetic quality.

The finished product produced a 5-bedroom home with a self-contained flat, open-planned kitchen, meals, family space, secluded vergolas, a viewing balcony, a 3-car garage, and all the modern conveniences of a prestige property. The linking design orchestrated the circulation between public and private spaces and enhanced its scale.

With attention to detail and process, Playoust Churcher Architects fulfilled the brief to perfection and created a property that has stood the test of ever-changing trends to create a home that is a standout in the region.

Recently the property was offered for sale by auction but didn’t make it that far, with a savvy buyer snapping it up prior to auction.

We are incredibly proud of this project, and seeing it highlighted in the Sydney Morning Herald as one of New South Wales’s top seven homes for sale is something we wanted to share.

We know Sydney’s North Shore

Playoust Churcher Architects have been the go-to architectural firm for the local community for well over three decades.

We specialise in residential heritage and contemporary renovations and new building developments. An integral part of your journey with us is our comprehensive process approach, tailored to meet the demands of our clients and council regulatory frameworks. Our team is well-positioned to maximise livability and financial return and is committed to delivering value that minimises risk and ensures projects stay on schedule and within budget.

We invite you to view our case studies and to contact our team for a comprehensive consultation on your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dee Why a standout location for architectural work?

Dee Why combines coastal views, leafy streets, and proximity to Sydney’s beaches. Its strict planning controls and lifestyle focus make it an ideal setting for tailored residential and dual-occupancy design.

What types of projects has Playoust Churcher completed in Dee Why?

Our work in Dee Why includes high-end renovations, dual occupancy developments, and new build designs that balance coastal living, natural light, site planning and spatial flow.

Explore Dee Why project examples in our case studies

Are expansions or knock-down rebuilds permitted in Dee Why?

Yes. Many sites support renovations or rebuilds—especially beachfront or elevated blocks. Compliance with Northern Beaches Council zoning and environmental overlays (like coastal, slope and stormwater) is carefully managed throughout design.

How does the design process differ for coastal homes in Dee Why?

We tailor designs to maximize daylight, ventilation, and views while respecting setbacks, privacy, and material durability. Coastal constraints like salt spray and slab stability inform structural and material planning.

Has Playoust Churcher received recognition for their Dee Why designs?

Yes. Our Dee Why projects have been featured in architectural awards and earned attention for elegant integration into local context, sophisticated materiality and liveability.

See our featured cases for award-winning design

How can homeowners in Dee Why begin a project with Playoust Churcher?

Start with a feasibility consultation. We’ll assess your site, zoning and project goals. From there, we guide you through concept design, documentation, approvals, and construction delivery.

Key Takeaways

Bold Design Amid Complexity

The 35 May Road, Dee Why project exemplifies Playoust Churcher’s strength in interpreting challenging sites and ambitious briefs. Despite multiple constraints—what they call a “knee wobbler”.

Spectacular Outcome, Recognised Among the Best

The home was featured by the Sydney Morning Herald as one of the top seven homes for sale in New South Wales—a testament to its powerful aesthetic and architectural merit.

Floating Pavilions Meet Natural Rock Platforms

This design celebrates the site’s topography. The structure comprises three “floating” steel‑framed pavilions gracefully perched over natural rock formations and connected via glass stairwells.

Privacy and Versatility Designed In

The composition allows the home to function flexibly—whether as a generous single-family residence or one with income potential—thanks to a self-contained apartment embedded within the layout.

Meet the Author

Brett Churcher

Managing Director & Nominated Architect 
NSW Architect Registration No. 5924

With over 30 years of architectural experience, Brett Churcher leads Playoust Churcher Architects with a rare combination of design expertise and commercial insight. As a registered architect and Managing Director, Brett has played a pivotal role in delivering high-end single residential homes and boutique medium-density developments across Sydney’s North Shore and beyond.

Brett’s unique strength lies in his deep understanding of both architectural design and the Sydney property market. His valuation background enables him to align creative vision with practical feasibility, ensuring each project achieves both aesthetic excellence and financial viability.

At Playoust Churcher, Brett drives the studio’s growth, strategy, and leadership, while remaining closely connected to what matters most: the client. His ability to see the bigger picture from a client’s perspective and to guide projects seamlessly through the design process is at the heart of his role and reputation.