Yellowtrace: These architects were asked to create the greatest reef house in the world

It all started with a simple brief to create the greatest reef house in the world. I suppose when the project is in a spot the owners refer to as the “Bennelong Point of the Great Barrier Reef” – more specifically, Lizard Island, 240 kilometres north of Cairns on the fringe of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef – why would one aim for anything less?

Surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty, the site carries a rich Indigenous history. Dyiigurra (Lizard Island) is the traditional country of the Dingaal people and regarded as a sacred space. It was named by Captain James Cook when he passed the land in 1770 after he witnessed its large population of lizards, geckos and goannas. The new building here is entirely grounded in its connection to the reef and its place, with design welcoming the elements.

Designed by architects JDA Co., who also delivered the architecture, interiors and final furniture selection, while Sophie Hart was brought in to finalise the objet d’art and the final styling, The House is a passion project of owners Steve and Jane Wilson and a special place in the family’s history, where Steve’s father developed the original lodge.

JDA Co. director, James Davidson, became familiar with the place while camping under the stars on-site.

“I wanted to understand how the sun and the winds worked. It also allowed me to test view lines from the ground floor, which impacted the final design,” Davidson says. “Every detail in The House ties back to its magical setting. The site is incredibly beautiful, and The House is there to frame its surroundings.”

The building plan is a nod to the stingrays that swim just metres away. Narrow slit windows to the south and west act as “gills” to direct prevailing breezes and allow The House to breathe on hot days, of which there are plenty.

On the ground floor, a garden room connects indoors and outdoors via the stone flooring, while upstairs, a burnished, polished concrete floor pays homage to the monumental granite shelf located beneath.

Rosewood timber and copper materials bring warmth to the otherwise robust interior. A large curving emerald quartzite kitchen bench echoes a sea shell, with subtle green tones complementing the hues of the reef.

A central, curved stairwell acts as the heart of the building, with an oculus above for tracking the patterns of the sun and the moon. A roof terrace and spa cap off the property and offer 360-degree landscape views.

The logistics of working on such a remote site brought with it plenty of challenges. The building process called for ingenuity to ensure minimal environmental disturbance. Materials were delivered via an offshore pontoon and hoisted from the beach onto the site using a “flying fox” mechanism.

The House’s rugged appearance appears like a ruin from the outside. The robust, board-formed concrete shell isn’t purely for aesthetics; it’s highly functional and lends itself to withstanding cyclonic winds and harsh weather conditions.

“More than 550 cubic metres of concrete was produced from the on-site concrete batching plant during construction,” says Davidson.

This project took almost 30 years to complete from when Steve’s father set foot on the island, with the client finally enjoying the fruits of his labour. A testament to the fact all good things and many great projects do and should take time.

 “What makes me especially proud is creating such an amazing outcome through an incredibly difficult, complex process,” smiles Davidson. “I love that about being an architect, we’re building people’s dreams a lot of the time.”

If you find this property intriguing and its location at one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and you’re after a memorable stay in one of the most luxurious private properties in Australia, you’re in luck. The House is available for bookings.