2019 Project Round-Up | Playoust Churcher Architects

Killara heritage alterations

A heritage project on the North Shore is always a challenge, due to the complexity of designing within heritage constraints.

Playoust Churcher Managing Director Brett Churcher explains the complexities around this project:

“This project was a balancing act of working within the council heritage controls and adapting our design to achieve the best result for our clients.

As with any contentious project such as heritage alterations, we went to council with a pre-DA.

This helped us to ensure a seamless DA process, as we could respond to any concerns from council very early on. When it came time to submit the DA, the process only took four months… which wouldn’t have been the case without the pre-DA.”

Construction is well underway on the home and we look forward to completion towards the end of 2020.

Read more about our approach to the heritage DA process.

Playoust Churcher - Home-in-East-Lindfield

New home in East Lindfield

Moving from the traditional to the modern, just around the corner in East Lindfield we have recently received DA approval for a large contemporary home. The home is three storeys, with five bedrooms and multiple living spaces, including a very open plan living area opening to a north-facing rear yard.

The materials used in the home will include stone and off-form concrete to achieve a modern finish. We are currently tendering the project, with construction due to commence in February 2020.

Wahroonga multi-generational residence

For this heritage-listed Wahroonga home, we have combined principles of multi-generational design within council heritage requirements to create a well-balanced design.

Playoust Churcher - Wahroonga-multigenerational

Brett explains the philosophy behind the design:

“Our clients approached us to make alterations to their home, because their parents are planning to move in with them. We have created a discrete wing within the house to ensure that each generation within the family has privacy within the home.

We like to future-proof our designs so in the future, if our clients decide to sell, that additional wing could be used as a guest suite, games room or a library for a larger family.

Particularly with a heritage-listed home where the heritage requirements may tighten or change in the future, it’s important that we plan for years to come to help our clients protect their investment.”

We will be lodging the DA for this property very soon, with construction to commence in 2020.

Read more about how we design for multi-generational living.

Southern Highlands retreat

While we are known as North Shore and Northern Beaches architects, we do work outside of the Sydney boundary.

For our clients in the Southern Highlands, we have created a master plan for their retreat.

Brett explains the scope of the work:

“The main residence of the property is remaining as is, but we have incorporated additional accommodation as a separate wing with both living areas and bedrooms. We have also added a multi-car garage.

The home sits within the hillside, so we have designed a lap pool which will be built into the hillside with a meditation room, gym and sauna underneath.”

The work on the retreat will happen over five years to meet the needs of the family.

Freshwater SEPP Seniors living

On the quiet side of Freshwater a SEPP Seniors living development we have been working on is due for completion in February. This is one of many SEPP Seniors housing projects we have completed with our client Bill Jenner. Playoust Churcher Director Luke Playoust explains this project:

“The site was originally a single residential block and once completed will include 11 SEPP Seniors living units.

The majority of the units – including two bedrooms + study and three-bedroom units – were sold off the plan.

The development is in an ideal location. It’s away from the beach with great district views into the valley.”

We are also in the process of lodging a SEPP to council for a nine-villa project in Beacon Hill.

Contemporary homes in Freshwater

Also in Freshwater, we have recently received DA approval from council for two new three-storey contemporary homes… on the same street. As with any Northern Beaches home, we faced challenges in the design due to the landscape.

Brett explains:

“The challenges for these homes were drainage, flooding and stormwater. We worked in collaboration with our own stormwater engineers and the council stormwater engineers to think outside the square. Ultimately, we were able to achieve the accommodation that our clients required.”

One of these modern beach homes has already commenced construction with the other due to start mid-2020.

Looking forward to 2020

We will be hitting the ground running in 2020 with five projects starting construction in the new year, five new homes on the drawing board and 15 alterations and additions projects at various stages of design across North Sydney, Mosman, Northern Beaches and the North Shore.

If 2020 is the year you want to start the journey towards your dream home, contact us to speak with one of our talented architects about our expertise in bringing your vision to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which featured projects are included in the 2019 round-up?

The round-up highlights a curated selection of completed North Shore and Northern Beaches homes—ranging from refined renovations, new custom homes, to boutique dual occupancy projects that showcase design diversity and regional expertise.

Explore the full project gallery

What are the key design themes presented from 2019?

Highlighted themes include sensitive heritage upgrades, light‑oriented site planning, indoor–outdoor flow, coastal resilience, and multi‑dwelling versatility. These illustrate Playoust Churcher’s adaptability across varied site types and client briefs.

Why is reviewing past projects useful for new clients?

Past project insights help potential clients evaluate our design approach, material quality, zoning execution, and site response across different suburbs—providing inspiration and confidence in our architectural process.

How does Playoust Churcher maintain consistency across different project types?

Each project—whether a seaside rebuild, dual occupancy or heritage renovation—is approached with the same principles: high material standards, local planning intelligence, daylight integration, and liveability-first layout strategies.

Has the 2019 portfolio been recognised through awards or features?

Yes. Several projects in the 2019 portfolio received editorial attention and local commendations for their thoughtful design and site-specific execution, affirming our commitment to timeless architectural outcomes.

How can I explore a project similar to one featured in the 2019 round‑up?

Each featured case links to detailed project insight and planning background. Browse by suburb, typology, or planning context to find inspirations aligned with your goals.

View detailed case studies here

How do I take the next step if inspired by a featured project?

Start with a feasibility consultation. We’ll connect your project’s context or goal to our 2019 case studies and guide you through concept design, council approvals, documentation, and builder coordination.

Key Takeaways

Heritage Renovations with Pre-DA Precision

The Killara heritage project was defined by a clear regulatory approach—with pre-DA consultation enabling council concerns to be addressed early and the DA approved in just four months.

Contemporary Mastery in Traditional Settings

A bold, three-storey house in East Lindfield—crafted from stone and off-form concrete—combined modern materiality with open plan living and flawless orientation for a north-facing backyard, offering a striking contrast.

Future‑Focused Multi‑Generational Design

In Wahroonga, a heritage-listed home was thoughtfully adapted with a discrete wing for a parent’s residence. Designed to be repurposed—such as into a study or guest suite if needed.

Retreat Living Elevated by Terrain

Extending beyond their North Shore roots, the Southern Highlands project reimagined a hillside estate adding a multi-car garage, a lap pool, and subterranean amenity spaces like a gym, sauna.

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.