- Architect: Alexander Symes Architect
- Featured on: Australia ByDesign – Season 7 Material Spotlight
- Location: Mollymook, NSW
- Roofing: LYSAGHT PERMALITE® LT7®
Perched on a windswept headland on Yuin Country, the Cake House has long been a familiar coastal landmark. Recently reimagined by Alexander Symes Architect, the home demonstrates how adaptive design and performance-driven materials can transform a humble fibro shack into a benchmark for sustainable living.
Celebrated in Australia ByDesign Season 7, Episode 1, Cake House embodies the balance between architectural vision, community connection and material performance – with PERMALITE® LT7® roofing playing a central role.
A Landmark Reimagined
Once a modest beach shack, Cake House was well-known to surfers and locals. Instead of replacing it with a larger build, the architect retained the original footprint, preserving its local identity while optimising it for modern living.
The home’s angular roof silhouette references the old shack’s familiar form while maximising passive solar gain and cross ventilation. On the lower level, thermally massive spaces provide sheltered retreat zones, while elevated living areas open seamlessly to sweeping ocean views.
A flexible layout ensures the home can host large family gatherings without sacrificing comfort, proving that sustainable, modestly scaled homes can still deliver remarkable liveability.
Sustainability at the Core
From day one, performance was a priority. The design achieves net-positive energy performance, generating around 7,000 kWh/year more than it consumes. Operating as a hybrid between passive house and passive solar design, the home adapts across seasons, maintaining consistent efficiency and comfort.
Durability also underpins every detail, from the robust concrete base designed for coastal conditions, to landscaping solutions that anticipate the challenges of a changing climate. Local trades were engaged throughout construction, reinforcing both community and sustainability values.
Roofing Built for Coastal Conditions
In exposed coastal environments, roofing must deliver more than aesthetics; it must perform. That’s why Alexander Symes Architect chose PERMALITE® LT7®, engineered specifically for corrosive coastal locations.
The profile provides:
- Long-term corrosion resistance in salt-laden winds
- Lightweight, low-maintenance performance
- Clean, linear aesthetics that complement modern architectural forms
This combination of durability, functionality and design flexibility made PERMALITE® LT7® the ideal choice for Cake House.
From Local Shack to Design Leader
Now, Cake House stands as a symbol of what’s possible when performance-driven materials meet thoughtful architecture. With its net-zero operation, strong community ties and robust construction, it demonstrates how Australian coastal homes can achieve resilience, sustainability and beauty, with PERMALITE® playing a pivotal role.
