In an unexpected turn of events, a dilapidated childhood vacation shack has been crowned the 2025 Australian House of the Year following a remarkable transformation. The Blok Three Sisters project, designed by Blok Modular in collaboration with Vokes and Peters, has claimed the top prize in the 2025 Houses Awards for its groundbreaking approach to solving a unique challenge: creating three stunning homes for a trio of sisters on the site where they spent their childhood summers.
The innovative property was specifically designed to allow the three sisters to continue enjoying their childhood summer retreat while addressing modern housing needs. What makes this project particularly noteworthy is its clever use of prefabricated construction methods and its contribution to what experts call "stealth density" – a solution that addresses Australia's ongoing housing shortage by transforming one deteriorating house into multiple high-quality designer homes.
At first glance, the structure appears to be a single residence, but it actually consists of three complete homes positioned side-by-side on North Stradbroke Island. Each home features its own private courtyards, breezeways, and the relaxed atmosphere characteristic of coastal living. The design maintains the aesthetic of a single beach house while providing separate living spaces for each sister and her family.
The construction process itself was as innovative as the design. Rather than building on-site, the homes were prefabricated in Brisbane and then transported to the fragile island environment. This approach not only saved time and money but also significantly reduced the environmental impact on the sensitive coastal ecosystem. The modular construction method proved particularly suitable for the remote island location.
The Houses Awards jury was thoroughly impressed with the project, offering glowing praise in their official citation. "A single beach house in a state of disrepair has been replaced with three new residences, permitting the next generations of the same family to make their own memories here," the jury stated. They described Blok Three Sisters as "an inventive design that finds a compelling balance between pragmatism and ambition."
The jury further noted that the design "looks to the past to recall what makes a great holiday house, while broadening the possibilities of prefabrication as an alternative construction method that is better equipped for our future." They praised how the units were arranged side-by-side, with a simple flip in the plan of one unit achieving subtle variation in the facade, which gently disguises the modular nature of the construction.
The project's significance extends beyond its immediate success as a family retreat. The jury emphasized that "Australia needs more exemplars of stealth density that demonstrate how our freestanding residences might gradually evolve to accommodate more dwellings, without sacrifice to individual or neighbourhood amenity." This approach represents a potential solution to urban housing challenges while maintaining the character of existing neighborhoods.
The design incorporates several features that make it well-suited to the tropical coastal climate. The homes feature a muted color scheme throughout, extensive use of natural materials, and careful attention to indoor-outdoor flow. Greenery surrounds the properties, and the design is specifically engineered to withstand the rigors of the coastal environment, including salt air, high humidity, and severe weather conditions.
Each residence maintains complete privacy while allowing the family to remain connected, creating an ideal balance between independence and togetherness. The courtyards and breezeways not only provide private outdoor space but also facilitate natural ventilation and cooling, essential features for comfortable tropical living.
The jury concluded that this terrace-like, modular design was not only a successful response to the laid-back coastal setting but also "a worthy and replicable model for co-living that could be readily adapted to sites in urban and suburban settings." This recognition suggests that the Blok Three Sisters project could serve as a template for future housing developments across Australia, offering a new approach to multi-generational living and sustainable construction practices.
