Located in the idyllic Main Beach suburb, South East of Queensland, HEY House is the ultimate family home and social hub, perfect for entertaining family and friends.

A true family home, the project took its name from the initials of the owner’s 3 children. HEY house was designed by the owners, Pia and Richie Willemsen of Willemsen Architecture. The home was immensely personal for the duo, who wanted to curate the space for their young family. Richie Willemsen said of the project, “I chose to owner-build because we wanted to push the boundaries of architecture, but also be able to push the limits right through from the design stage to the completion of the build, and we learnt a lot.”

Recognised for its striking design and lasting durability, HEY House received the inaugural Philip Follent Award for Building of the Year as part of the 2021 Australian Institute of Architects Regional Architecture Awards.

A key element of the design conception was to ensure the house was as low-maintenance as possible, guaranteeing minimal intervention in the future. To facilitate this, the project has no external paint or render. Concrete blocks are used as a key feature, running from the outside in, creating design continuity and durability. As a feature, the blocks are sleek and neutral, assimilating into the surrounding environment. With no need to paint or treat the facade, the blocks will develop a natural patina over time, minimising both future costs and hassle.

With a centrality around natural materials, HEY house is predominantly composed of concrete and light-weight wood. This creates a cohesion in design and also low-maintenance for long-term living. As well as the aesthetic cohesion, the house’s materiality ensures for energy efficiency and excellent thermal qualities. With a concrete construction, the costs of heating and cooling will be slashed year round.

Designed to ensure optimum flow for family living the house is built around a central courtyard and pool, with the living areas on the ground level, and the sleeping and office spaces are upstairs, where there is more light and privacy. With carefully considered placement of windows and doors, the home optimises the light through the downstairs communal areas. With the downstairs living areas centred around the courtyard, the floorplan invites a seamless interaction with the outdoors. Large sliding doors and windows connect the kitchen and living space with the external patio, offering a lifestyle that both facilitates and accommodates an interaction with the external environment, ideal for the young family and for hosting all year round in Queensland’s tropical climate.

Ensuring timeless design, the structure and colour palette of the home is classic, in muted neutral tones and simple design. The decor and furniture is kept simple and minimalistics, with no bold colours or decor features, the flow and natural materiality of the home is its main design feature. As aesthetically appealing as it is functional, HEY House’s integrated lights and technology ensure seamless design whilst maintaining the functionality of the home. Designed and built to last, HEY house will be the ideal family home for generations to come.

Photography by: Scott Burrows