Slater Architects

13/10/2026

Set beneath the beautiful eucalypts at Copacabana, these two homes were designed to sit quietly within their surroundings, with natural materials, warm interiors and a strong connection to the coastal landscape.

It’s always important to us that a home feels right for its setting, and that it’s a pleasure to live in, not just to look at.

I hope you enjoy seeing a little more of the Copa Houses.

Built by Davis Builders NSW Pty Ltd
Photos by Cavoo Creative

Two homes, one language — complementary beach houses framed by gums and the Copacabana coastline.

09/10/2026

Copa Houses, Copacabana 🎥

Two houses, one architectural language. A pair of coastal homes on adjoining blocks, related in form and distinct in character, sitting comfortably amongst the gums.

We loved every stage of this project, from concept design through to construction management, and working collaboratively with Davis Builders NSW Pty Ltd and our lovely clients.

Photography and video by Cavoo Creative

See the full project: slaterarchitects.com.au/projects/copa-houses

02/10/2026

As the weather warms, the best rooms are the ones that don't quite end.

A home that connects to the outdoors changes how a day is lived. Daylight, air and a view of the garden or the water do more than decorate a room. They set the pace of it. Meals move outside, the garden becomes another room, and the house feels larger because the boundary is a threshold, not a wall.

Cathy has always believed in biophilic design, and in homes that genuinely improve the way our clients live. We plan for prospect and shelter, for materials that belong to the site, and for openings that bring the landscape into daily life.

29/09/2026

Some houses just need someone to see what they could be.

The owners of this North Avoca home had been searching for their dream house and decided to create it instead. They love to entertain and often have family staying, so we raised the roof into raked ceilings to open up the view, moved the kitchen to face the water and made room for guests.

Check out our stories for the before and after shots.

Built by T White Building + Construction
Interior design by Woods & Warner
Photos by Luke Shadbolt

28/09/2026

"The Shark House transforms the site limitations into an architectural design opportunity. It's a home defined by structure, light and water" - Cathy Slater

We love this little excerpt from the Shark House film. Solid concrete and stone hold the house into the rocky hillside, daylight falls through the glass atrium and the pool above, and Brisbane Water is never far from view.

The Shark House is one of a number of waterfront homes we've designed around the Central Coast. Each of these sites is different. Some are steep and rocky, some face the open ocean and some sit on the calmer edges of Brisbane Water. The approach is always the same. We start with the site and the way our clients want to live there, and let the water shape the house from there.

Video by Cavoo Creative
Built by versatilehomes

25/09/2026

Vista House is one of those projects that reminds us why we love what we do.

We were with our clients from the very first sketch through to the last day on site, across all stages including project management of construction. It was a small, steep block in Avoca Beach with a big wish list, and it all came together beautifully thanks to great clients and a great builder in Unique Building Partners.

"We would certainly use Cathy and her wonderful team at Slater Architects for any architectural work in the future." (Vista House clients)

If you or someone you know is thinking about building or renovating, we're always happy to chat.

Builder: Unique Building Partners
Photos: Katie Wade Studio

24/09/2026

Lifetime living — a home without an expiry date.

Many of you will know this brief well: a family house that needs to work harder for the next chapter, or a new home that still feels like “us” in twenty years. The Corlette House is one example — a holiday property reworked as a forever home, without losing the joy of gathering.

We’re always glad to talk with clients and friends of the practice who are thinking about renovating or building for the long run.

Photo: Katie Wade Studio
Builder: GTS Constructions

18/09/2026

Architecture is most powerful when it disappears into the life it holds.

The Point Frederick House was designed with the fall of the land so levels, outlook and shelter work together, and the house sits comfortably in its setting. Many of you will know this kind of Central Coast site well: beautiful, and not always simple.

We’re proud of the work, and grateful for the clients, consultants and friends of the practice who help bring projects like this to life.

If you’re thinking about a new home or a renovation — or you know someone who is — we’re always happy to talk things through.

Photo: Paramount Studios

09/08/2026

🌿 Building in a Bushfire Zone on the NSW Coast? Here's What You Need to Know.

Dreaming of building your forever home surrounded by bushland? While these locations offer incredible lifestyle benefits, they also come with important planning and design considerations.

Building in a bushfire-prone area doesn't mean compromising on great design. With the right architectural approach from the very beginning, it's possible to create a home that is both beautiful and resilient.

In our latest blog, we explore:
✔️ What a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating means
✔️ How bushfire requirements influence the design process
✔️ The importance of selecting the right materials
✔️ Why engaging an architect early can save time, money and costly redesigns

At Slater Architects, we've spent more than 45 years designing homes across the Central Coast and NSW coastline, including many in bushfire-prone locations. We understand how to balance planning requirements, site constraints and exceptional design outcomes.

Read the full article here:
https://www.slaterarchitects.com.au/building-in-a-bushfire-zone-on-the-nsw-coast/

Thinking about building on a bush block or coastal property? We'd love to discuss your project.

01/08/2026

There's something incredibly rewarding about seeing a project transition from concept to construction—especially when we've had the opportunity to shape both the architecture and the interiors.

This contemporary dual occupancy in Terrigal has been thoughtfully designed to deliver two sophisticated coastal homes, with every detail carefully considered from the external form through to the interior finishes and fittings.

Our team worked closely with the client to create a cohesive interior design that complements the architecture, selecting materials, colours, fixtures and finishes that reflect a timeless coastal aesthetic while ensuring each space is both beautiful and highly functional.

By integrating the architecture and interior design from the outset, we're able to create homes that feel complete—where every element works together seamlessly.

We look forward to sharing more progress as construction continues and revealing the finished interiors.

Thinking about building a new home or dual occupancy? We'd love to help bring your vision to life.

Learn more about the project:
https://www.slaterarchitects.com.au/terrigal-dual-occupancy/