Sonata by Orr Made
In Port Douglas, Orr Made has reimagined a 1990s Queenslander into a light-filled family retreat that embraces both creativity and connection.
Surrounded by lush greenery in the coastal suburb, the renovation transforms a once dated home into a refined setting for respite and entertaining, deeply attuned to its tropical environment.
The original 1997 residence was defined by pavilion-style rooflines, louvred windows, and open-air walkways – a quintessentially tropical vernacular that encouraged breezes and blurred thresholds between inside and out. Orr Made’s reinvention retains this foundation but elevates it through contemporary interventions that carefully stitch together the home’s separate wings. A new glass-lined corridor unites the formerly detached pavilions, creating flow and function while maintaining the lightness of the original structure. At the heart of the home, a central communal zone encourages year-round living, reinforcing the home’s role as a place of togetherness.
Materiality plays a defining role in the transformation. A palette of soothing whites, rich timbers, and tactile natural surfaces establishes a calm interior atmosphere, resonant with its beachside setting. Natural stone anchors the interiors, bridging the connection between the lush garden and the house. Within, vibrant Smeraldo quartzite becomes the focal gesture, its emerald tones recalling the pool beyond and weaving a dialogue between built form and landscape. Robust yet refined finishes ensure durability for family life while cultivating an enduring sense of calm.
The renovation also honours the client’s passion for gardening. What was once an overgrown site has been reshaped into a verdant sanctuary, where sandy-hued split-face pavers reference the property’s bluestone relics and trelliswork supports layers of vegetation. The garden is designed as both backdrop and active setting, where swimming, gathering, and quiet retreat are given equal priority. The landscape becomes inseparable from the architecture, extending the living environment outward and embedding the home within its tropical surrounds.
Every intervention balances nostalgia with modernity. By respecting the home’s original character while introducing contemporary flow, Orr Made has crafted a dwelling that feels both familiar and renewed. The project celebrates cultural storytelling through curated collections of art and objects, while at the same time fostering a setting for everyday ease and conviviality.
This is a family home that lives lightly yet meaningfully in its context. With its breezeways, garden integration, and layered material palette, Sonata reflects the essence of coastal Queensland living while offering a refined, contemporary interpretation. It is a conscious reinvention – one that nurtures creativity, connection, and the spirit of a young family, all within the richness of a simple beachside lifestyle.
