CHURCH POINT ARCHITECTS

Designs that embrace the bush and the coast.

0416 130 246
get in touch

CHURCH POINT

Church Point is a stunning pocket on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a region known for its rugged coastline and lush bushland. We often think of it as the place where ridgelines meet waterlines – a place where homes are perched on what feels like the edge of the world. 

Surrounded by neighbouring waterfront suburbs such as Scotland Island, Newport and Mona Vale, Church Point offers a rare blend of seclusion and natural beauty.

It’s characterised by sloping blocks, landscapes dominated by native bushland and sweeping Pittwater views. These elements make designing homes here a unique challenge, requiring precision and problem solving. But this also means that there are incredible opportunities to design in an innovative way to embrace this gorgeous environment.

Homes here range from heritage cottages tucked behind stands of majestic eucalypts to sculptural new builds accessible only by footpath or goat track. These homes are shaped by the terrain, and by their infrastructure (or lack of), and represent the tenacity of the community that calls Church Point home.  

At Ironbark Architecture, we love the challenge of designing on a steep site, or a home with structural complexity or tricky logistics. Our designs work with these elements, not against them – so that we can embrace the light and the landscape, maximise the view and preserve the stunning character of Church Point.

WE UNDERSTAND CHURCH POINT

Designing homes in Church Point isn’t like designing anywhere else. You don’t just need a plan – you often need a strategy. We bring decades of experience working across Sydney’s Northern Suburbs and designing homes that embrace the beauty and opportunities that are unique to Church Point. 

We also bring decades of experience working on tricky sites, including homes with steep inclines, bushfire requirements, limited access and sensitive vegetation and landscape considerations. We love these challenges, and creating a design that embraces them, rather than working against them, to deliver you a home perfectly designed for this unique place.

BECAUSE WE’RE CHURCH POINT ARCHITECTS WE UNDERSTAND:

  • How to manage sloped sites with narrow access – and sometimes foot access only

  • The logistics of material delivery and construction access

  • Planning considerations for native bushland and erosion zones

  • Site sensitive designs that maximise views and airflow

  • The impact of high BAL ratings and bushfire requirements

  • The council approval process for coastal and bushfire-prone properties

  • The importance of relationships with local builders, tradespeople and suppliers

  • The beauty of designing sustainably for place 

OUR WORK

Church Point’s waterfront setting, steep bushland sites and relaxed coastal lifestyle create unique opportunities for thoughtful architectural design. Our work in Church Point focuses on homes that maximise views, light and connection to the natural surroundings, while ensuring comfort, resilience and a sense of calm suited to the area’s secluded character.

Take a look at our gallery to see some of our work.

We’ve been featured in:

Ironbark Architecture featured in major Australian publications including The Daily Telegraph, Houses Awards, Adore Home Magazine, Sunrise, The Local Project and Domain.
A contemporary home façade designed to sit comfortably within Church Point’s coastal bushland setting on the Northern Beaches.
A bright kitchen opening onto an outdoor bar, reflecting the easy indoor–outdoor lifestyle typical of homes around Church Point.
Light-filled bedroom with large windows looking out to native bushland, a common feature of Church Point homes.
Calm, minimalist interior using natural timber finishes, designed to suit the relaxed, bushland surrounds of Church Point.
Open living space with a modern fireplace and sliding doors that capture coastal breezes across the Northern Beaches.
A striking stone feature wall washed in natural light from high-level windows, a hallmark of thoughtful Church Point design.
Outdoor deck surrounded by dense native greenery, showcasing the immersive natural setting of Church Point properties.
Light, calming bathroom designed with natural textures and materials, reflecting Ironbark’s site-sensitive approach in Church Point.
Home exterior in natural timber and brick, blending beautifully with the surrounding bushland typical of Church Point.
Minimalist bedroom illuminated by a skylight, designed to maximise natural Northern Beaches sunlight.
Warm child’s bedroom with corner windows opening directly onto lush native ferns – classic Church Point bushland living.
Timber deck overlooking dense bush, capturing the serene, elevated feel of many Church Point homes.
Simple window seat designed to frame views of the surrounding bushland, a key feature of Church Point architecture.
A family enjoying an open servery window connecting the kitchen to the patio, perfect for Northern Beaches living.
Contemporary home with pool designed for narrow coastal blocks, common throughout Church Point.
Pittwater waterfront contemporary house architects renovation
0416 130 246
EMAIL

“It was a pleasure working with Chris to bring our ideas and his expertise together and we are delighted with the outcome. Chris spent the time to understand what we were trying to achieve and the combination of his design skills and his attention to detail ensured we got there”

- ROBERT

OUR TEAM SPECIALISE IN

Click the + on the right to read more

  • Whether you’re working with an existing property or starting fresh on a bare slope with views across the Pittwater, we approach each Church Point project with care, thoughtfulness and a commitment to the land. All our designs respect the place as it stands – sometimes this may include structures or simply trees and vegetation – and continue with a view to designing a home that’s liveable, efficient and beautiful. 

    At Ironbark Architecture we’re committed to pushing design boundaries – so your home feels grounded and is exactly what you need for your family and your lifestyle.

    New Homes | Renovations

  • Much of Church Point backs onto bushland making bushfire design not just a regulation, but a responsibility. We design to meet all BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) requirements and will work closely with bushfire consultants to create fire-resilient homes that still feel open and connected to the outside environment.

    As bushfire architects, we understand the materials required, the building codes to be met and the site planning strategies to adopt, that will meet regulations and create peace of mind without compromising on design.

    Bushfire Architecture

  • In a place as connected to nature as Church Point, sustainable design is simply good design. Homes here can benefit immensely from intentional passive design elements such as natural cross-ventilation, water harvesting, thermal massing and solar orientation. We also work with the site’s natural landscape and vegetation, preserving as much as possible to embrace the stunning nature of Church Point. 

    These passive principles can help keep your home cool in summer, warm in winter and allow a lovely air flow. Embracing these will ensure that your home sits lightly on the land, with an efficient building footprint. 

    Together we can create homes in Church Point that are good for the environment and feel good to live in. 

    Passive & Sustainable Design

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Of course. We work across the Northern Beaches, including Church Point. Our team has years of experience designing to meet the requirements of bushfire-prone properties and access limited sites like those in Church Point.

  • The biggest challenges are the typically steep blocks, the narrow access (sometimes only by foot), erosion zones and bushfire overlays. These require expertise to manage, of course, but they also open the door to unique, stunning and site-specific designs that simply aren’t achievable anywhere else.

  • Absolutely. Our team can help you create the best designs for your specific block, making the most out of the slope, structure and views, while ensuring your home is safe, compliant and built to last.

BEGIN YOUR DESIGN JOURNEY

As specialists in Church Point architecture, we’re here to help. We’d love to speak to you about your project – even the trickiest and most complex sites and designs. We’ll help you create a home that works with the landscape, embracing all its unique beauty. 

Prefer to call? 0416 130 246

NORTHERN BEACHES SUBURBS WE SERVICE: