In the quiet seaside village of Gerroa on the NSW South Coast, locals and visitors alike enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and the stunning scenery. It’s in this sublime location that Neil Hipwell of Futureflip was invited to design and construct a forever home for long-standing clients – a residence aptly named Solstice.

This wasn’t the first time Neil had collaborated with them. As his business grew, another of their projects went onto win the coveted 2023 HIA Australian Townhouse/Villa Development Award.

Understandably, expectations for Solstice were just as lofty – much like the summer solstice itself, when the sun reaches its highest point. And as it turned out, the challenges were equally elevated. From the ground up.

‘The site was essentially a cliff on the water’s edge – narrow, steep and bordered by neighbouring homes,’ Neil explains. But it was what lay beneath the cliff rock face that caused the biggest headache.

‘We hit solid basalt rock within the first 500mm of excavation,’ he says. ‘We knew the block would be small, steep and exposed to coastal weather, but the bluestone really threw us.’ Rock of this nature is exceptionally hard, turning the excavation into more of a mining exercise.

‘Normally you’d use explosives, but that wasn’t possible in this residential area, so everything had to be cut by hand or with a small excavator blade into cubes we could move and recycle.’

Unsurprisingly, this caused delays and redesigns. But throughout the two year build, the team’s ingenuity and craftsmanship became the driving force behind the project. The site was ultimately transformed into a level platform, allowing the home to be built 900mm off the boundary and nine metres below ground.

‘Our client wanted functionality and flexibility as they love to entertain,’ says Neil. ‘Capturing views was essential, so we specified floor-to-ceiling glazing to make the most of the coastline from almost every angle.’

Futureflip had always handled its own designs, but this project demanded something ‘next level’. One of the first stand-out features was a sculptural staircase with a lift connecting all three floors. It serves both as a dramatic centrepiece and a practical solution for the steep site. ‘We also designed a state-first fully glazed skybox that provides access to the rooftop terrace, frames panoramic views and enhances vertical circulation.’

Sustainability and long term comfort were high priorities for the clients. Futureflip worked to ensure the home was environmentally responsive, from the building envelope to interior climate control — both now and into the future.

One of the team’s most innovative decisions was to install a geothermal system, a rarity in residential construction. Using high-efficiency heat pumps drawing from six 100-metre-deep vertical boreholes, the system taps into the earth’s stable subsurface temperatures.

‘The result is captured thermal energy that would otherwise be lost, redirected to support spaces such as the swimming pool and spa,’ Neil explains.

The thoughtfully designed concrete home is fully waterproofed to manage subfloor moisture, a critical factor in coastal conditions. High-performance floor insulation improves thermal regulation, while panoramic glazing is balanced with strict thermal targets through high-spec double glazing and thermal breaks.

At the 2025 HIA NSW Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards, Futureflip won Home of the Year and Custom Built Home. The HIA judges noted the exceptional level of detail throughout the home – from small touches like a hidden magnet that ensures the oversized front door rests gently when opened, to the custom designed pool safety sign that blends seamlessly into the setting.

The workmanship is meticulous: minimal joints, venetian plaster finishes and water-cut green marble benchtops crafted before being craned into a site with no direct access.

Smart and sustainable design aside, Solstice is ultimately a home to be enjoyed for many years to come. Views stretch not only from living spaces but from almost every room. Fully automated, the home includes a waterproof rooftop pergola, sauna, ice room, gym, pool and spa – all overlooking the ocean.

‘We feel we’ve built a home they can enjoy on quiet family days or entertaining,’ Neil says.

While the rock, sea spray, coastal winds, limited access and complex specifications were taxing, Neil says he’s as proud of the people as he is of the end result. ‘The relationships that were built and strengthened throughout the project are my favourite part – the way everyone communicated and the trust we had in each other, from the subbies to the clients. It’s been amazing.’

Explore Neil Hipwell's path to success

Hear about Neil Hipwell’s journey from dropping out of school in year nine to building a multi-million-dollar business in HIA’s Made to Build podcast.

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First published on 11 March 2026