Sarah Waller is a builder by nature and by name. ‘Our family are called “Wallers” – builders of walls,’ she says, laughing. ‘So, I guess it’s in my blood.’

From a young age, Sarah would accompany her father to building sites in the United Kingdom. While she went down the path of studying architecture, she was also attracted to the construction side. ‘I did a building diploma covering everything from structural engineering to project management. When studying architecture, I had a broader understanding. There’s no point having beautiful designs that can’t be built.’

Arriving in Australia

Upon arriving in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with a young family, Sarah’s business, Sarah Waller Architecture, took on various projects. Her master stroke, however, was applying for a builder’s licence. This began her successful foray into custom design and construct projects in the Noosa region.

When Sarah happened upon a sloping rural block located between Eumundi and Noosa, she recognised the potential straight away. While she knew she’d have to balance her time between running her own business and building her dream home, she turned to her husband Paul for help. He runs an electrical business and found time to provide hands-on support and expertise during all stages.

From a design perspective, Sarah wanted to ‘create something really bold and robust’.

Her forte is being a fast, thorough builder but with this construction, timing wasn’t on her side. ‘We started at the tail-end of COVID, so we had supply issues. And the weather was unfavourable, so it took us six months to get the slab down.’

Once the build took hold, Sarah was onsite every day solving complex issues; it’s no surprise the build was completed in 10 months.

Indoor/outdoor living

After completion, the contemporary home, named Blackwood, incorporates off-form concrete and black timber cladding. While the interior is sleek and sophisticated, it provides a functional flow of indoor/outdoor living.

The material palette includes concrete, terrazzo and Italian black oak flooring. Distinct zones provide areas to socialise, sleep and work, plus a self-contained studio for multi-generational living. With natural light and air flow in abundance, the dwelling works as a timeless Australians retreat.

When it comes to Sarah’s favourite spaces, she nominates her multiple al-fresco areas that provide views of the nearby dam and golf course. And like many Brits, the bath spaces are also favourite places for this architect. ‘There’s no better way to finish the day than having a relaxing bath,’ she says.

Sarah is now happily settled in this luxurious home with her family, so does it mean she’ll be living here forever? Not at all! ‘To my husband’s shock, I have two or three left in me,’ she says. ‘There’s always so much to try and learn.’ So, Paul had better keep his boots on.

Book now!

The HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards – one of the country’s most talked-about events in the industry – will conclude the three-day HIA National Conference in Melbourne on 15-17 May.

Book now to be part of this peak annual event.

First published 20 March 2025