Architect: Paul Butterworth Architect
Completion: 2020
Builder[s]: Rokco Builds & Andersen Quality Constructions
Perched among the treetops at Point Lookout on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), Nannygai is a coastal retreat designed for the full spectrum of island life – from an intimate couple’s escape to a sprawling family gathering.
The house is conceived as an elevated platform hovering above a series of landscape terraces, drawing the spectacular scenery of the island directly into everyday living. Upstairs, restrained deck proportions give way to floor-to-ceiling glass that pulls the panoramic view inside. Downstairs, a concrete floor dissolves into wide steps leading to a grassed terrace and fire pit. Secret doors, carefully placed mirrors and sliding panels animate the spaces – creating privacy when needed, connection when wanted.
Despite its generous capacity, the house is deliberately compact. External terraces and landscaped spaces become habitable rooms in their own right, reducing built area without sacrificing liveability. Materials are raw, non-reflective and largely pre-finished – chosen to weather the harsh coastal environment gracefully and with minimal upkeep. Inside, refined finishes and careful detailing keep the focus where it belongs: on the light, the landscape and the life happening within.
Nannygai was built by local hands, with architect, client, builder and trades working in close collaboration throughout. The result is a home made to be loved for generations – durable, considered, and deeply connected to its remarkable island setting.
See this as part of Brisbane Open House’s Stradbroke Edition on Saturday 25 July, 2026.