Holocene House: A Regenerative Beachside Sanctuary

Holocene House, a two-storey beachside home in Manly, Sydney, was designed by C Plus C Architects and Builders. The property features a black, box-like exterior and an interior crafted to mimic a rainforest environment. It incorporates a creek-like freshwater pool, recycled timber, extensive plant canopies, and stained glass panels.

Sustainability and Certification

The house strongly emphasizes sustainability, regeneration, and a profound connection to nature. It was shortlisted for the 2025 House Awards and aims to be a carbon-positive residence, projected to generate more energy than required for its materials, construction, operation, and disposal by 2050.

The project is named after the Holocene epoch, reflecting an aim for human symbiosis with ecosystems, according to C Plus C founder Clinton Cole.

Holocene House is certified as Australia’s first Active House, an international standard for sustainable buildings. It integrates renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, native planting, and low-impact materials. Cole states that the house represents a significant shift towards regenerative Australian architecture.

Design Approach and Details

The owners requested a sustainable, regenerative home offering open-plan living, privacy, and toxin-free materials. Key elements included embracing views while minimizing impact from neighbors, integrating off-grid features like food cultivation, and a low-maintenance natural freshwater swimming pool.

The design drew inspiration from natural landscapes, specifically Eli Creek on K’gari (Fraser Island).

• Views: Stained glass patchwork panels deconstruct Shelly Beach views into abstract, colorful reflections, offering privacy while celebrating the coastal environment.
• Materials: Low-impact, low-embodied-energy materials were prioritized throughout the construction.
  • Sustainably sourced spotted gum hardwood shou sugi ban cladding was used for durability and fire resistance.
  • Recycled hardwoods from local demolished homes were repurposed for doors, windows, benchtops, flooring, and joinery.
  • Paperock, a toxin-free composite, is featured in kitchen joinery.
  • Boral Envisia low-carbon concrete was utilized in slabs and an office ceiling.
  • Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) lattices form part of the permeable canopy.
  • Excavated sandstone, concrete, and timber were reused in landscaping and the driveway.
• Pool: A natural freshwater swimming pool forms a central feature, designed to resemble a rainforest creek adjacent to living spaces. It is enveloped by a permeable canopy with flourishing plants, supported by a structure of timber, steel, and jade-colored FRP lattices. The pool utilizes a sophisticated biofiltration system through polishing ponds, reed beds, charcoal, pebbles, UV rays, and a simple filter.

Landscaping and Regeneration

Landscaping focuses on local coastal ecology to support bandicoot preservation, using locally sourced native plants. It includes a productive fruit and vegetable garden, herb beds, and a chicken coop. The overhead canopy contains over 20 floating planters, intended to form a forest-like veil.

Plant species incorporated into the design include:

• Apple berry
• Water vine
• Dichondra silver falls
• Cabbage palm
• Melaleuca
• Native fuschia
• Saw-toothed banksia

These plants require low water and are fed by greywater and rainwater systems, with compost from garden waste enhancing soil.

Challenges during the project included Covid delays, material shortages, and extreme weather events. The design prioritized site-sensitive approaches, material reuse, low-embodied energy options, and integrated systems like solar PV and greywater recycling. It successfully balanced sustainability with resident health and comfort.