ArchiBlox has given this prefabricated beachfront house near Sydney a verdant plant-covered roof to help it blend into its clifftop setting.
Avalon House is situated on one of the sandstone cliffs that overlook Avalon Beach, around 35 kilometres north of central Sydney.

The property was designed by ArchiBlox, a Melbourne architecture studio specialising in modular buildings and that previously developed a carbon-positive house.
In the case of the Avalon House, the prefabricated construction method enables the house to sit lightly on its plot and facilitated a rapid build time of just six weeks.
Photograph by Michael Wickham
"We are still combating a shortage in the Australian market for architect-designed sustainable dwellings that are affordable," said architect Bill McCorkell. "That market is definitely here to stay and will only grow in the coming years." The house was designed to make the most of its rare north-facing site, so large windows are positioned along the elevation to benefit from beach views and the northern sun.

Dark steel cladding applied across the majority of the facades was chosen for its robust properties, which are essential in a seaside location prone to salt spray and strong winds.
Timber surfaces used elsewhere introduce a softer natural element. The wood is particularly evident on the elevation facing the street and wraps around a corner where it lines a wall leading to a rear terrace.

The house has a compact floor a...