Queensland Holiday Shack Named Top 2025 Home

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A former holiday shack on North Stradbroke Island has been named Australia’s 2025 House of the Year after being transformed into three innovative family homes.

The “Blok Three Sisters” project by Blok Modular in partnership with Vokes and Peters won the top honor at the 2025 Houses Awards. The project converted a deteriorating beach house, once the summer retreat of three sisters, into three adjoining residences that preserve their shared holiday tradition while offering independent space.

Each modular home features private courtyards, breezeways, and open-plan indoor-outdoor living areas. Though it appears to be a single dwelling at first glance, the layout separates each home subtly and effectively.

The entire structure was prefabricated in Brisbane and transported to the island to reduce on-site construction, costs, and impact on the fragile coastal environment. The architects chose a muted color scheme and weather-resistant materials suitable for Queensland’s tropical climate.

The jury commended the design as a practical and forward-thinking response to Australia’s housing challenges, particularly in terms of “stealth density”, a concept that allows more homes to be built on a single site without disrupting neighborhood character.

“A single beach house in disrepair has been replaced with three new residences, permitting the next generations of the same family to make their memories here,” the jury stated.

They highlighted the project as a model of how modular construction can be adapted for urban and suburban sites, potentially easing the housing shortage without the need for high-rise developments.

The arrangement of the homes includes mirrored layouts to introduce subtle variety in design. According to the jury, the project balances ambition and functionality while drawing from traditional coastal design features that evoke the relaxed spirit of Australian beach holidays.

With housing affordability and population growth driving a national debate on urban planning, projects like this offer an alternative path forward. By rethinking how space is used and adopting modular methods, architects and developers can meet future needs while maintaining livability and family connection.

The success of Blok Three Sisters could prompt more developers to explore this kind of low-impact, higher-density housing, especially in locations with limited land availability and environmental constraints.