Located in the coastal village of Fingal Head, this project began as a modest 1960s fibro beach shack that our clients were deeply fond of for its scale, character and relaxed feel. After it was significantly impacted by flooding in February 2022, the owners chose to preserve rather than demolish, and sensitively adapt the house to respond to flood risk and support the needs of their growing family.
The project asked a simple question:
How can the life of an existing house be extended while preserving its character and connection to place?
Rather than starting again, the design focuses on understanding what already exists and finding ways to thoughtfully give it another life.
Thank you to @thedesignfiles for sharing the story of the project. We’ve received such positive feedback — it’s wonderful to see the project resonate with so many people. In a world where things can often feel disposable and replaceable, it’s a reminder that what already exists can hold real value and meaning, both now and into the future.
It was a pleasure to work with our clients on such a special project.
You can find the article here: /2026/03/architecture-fingal-house or via the link in our bio.
Project team — @justinhumphreyarchitects@britttowse
Builder — @beckconstruct
Engineering — @ingineered
Landscaping — @streatscapes
Photography — @andymacpherson.studio
Article — @christinalkarras for @thedesignfiles
Fingal House has been featured in the latest issue of Houses Magazine, as part of their Working With an Architect series. It’s a Q&A with our clients Shannon and Josh, reflecting on their experience: what they expected, what surprised them, and what they now love most about their home.
Following the damaging 2022 floods, the instinct may have been to start again.
However, the decision was made to retain the original, much-loved beach shack, lifting and carefully extending it to create a home that is both resilient to climate and deeply of its place. A new addition joins old and new, framing trees, light and water, while encouraging connection for the owners with the neighbours and each other.
It's a story told from the client's perspective, and we're grateful to Shannon and Josh for trusting us with something so personal — and to Houses for sharing it.
Project team — @justinhumphreyarchitects@britttowse
Builder — @beckconstruct
Engineering — @ingineered
Landscaping — @streatscapes
Photogrpahy — @andymacpherson.studio
Article — @alexakempton for @housesmagazine
Originally published in Houses issue 168.
