“Queenscliff”, A multi-residential development
The existing building was a very vanilla block of 4-one one-bedroom apartments in a lovely part of Queenscliff in the Sydney Northern Beaches. The Warringah Council building regulations are strict, particularly on bulk and view corridors. The challenge to update the apartment block was overcome with a detailed architectural process and a thorough understanding of the council’s building codes and DA mechanism. The result was a masterful upgrade that blended into the streetscape, more than doubled the living space, and created a view avenue that inhaled ocean vistas and warming sunsets.
The outcome
One-bedroom apartments are lonely dwellings. The team at Playoust Chucher set about designing with space, livability, and connectedness in mind. The building’s facade was stripped of its dull, featureless exterior and replaced with light-filled balconies, balanced geometric shapes and lines, welcoming landscaping, and a palette of natural tones offering sophistication over volume.
Each apartment was reshaped and extended into two-storey, three-bedroom maisonette-style apartments that breathed life into the existing footprint. Angled rooflines created exciting internal spatial dynamics while enhancing views for the residents without obstructing the neighbours’ access to the same.
“Playoust Churcher designed a fantastic-looking building with an additional room in a roof concept that was technically a floor higher than was allowed. Warringah council staff agreed that if the design proved architectural merit, they would consider it. Our consultant planner was not confident when we had a pre-DA meeting, but the council staff simply said it looked fantastic. We had no complaints from neighbours; it sailed straight through the Council. Equally impressive is that we had four unrelated unit owners, and all applauded the design.”
Scott, Queenscliff
Our design was supported by Warringah Council, and DA approval was granted within 3 months.




