A thoughtful coastal renovation grounded in timber craftsmanship
Set against the lush, subtropical backdrop of Byron Bay, the Dylan Lane Project is a thoughtful renovation and modest expansion that reimagines an existing house as a relaxed, extended-family holiday home. Designed by Oceanarc Architects and delivered by Well Grounded Building, the home balances privacy, openness and an effortless connection to the outdoors – capturing the essence of Byron’s laidback coastal lifestyle.
The brief centred on renewal rather than reinvention. Existing spaces were refreshed and gently reworked, while new areas were introduced with restraint to ensure the home still felt grounded in its original character. Privacy was carefully considered through layered fencing, walls, window treatments and lush planting, creating a sense of retreat without ever feeling closed off. The layout encourages a natural, easy relationship between spaces, allowing the home to flex depending on whether it’s hosting a full house of relatives or offering a quiet coastal escape.
“The vision was always about creating a place where extended family could come together without feeling on top of each other,” says Guy de Vos, Construction Manager of Well Grounded Building. “We wanted the home to feel open and relaxed, but still give everyone their own sense of space and privacy. It’s about that balance between connection and retreat.”
A defining element of the site planning is the creation of a tropical swimming pool oasis within the main yard. This central outdoor space was designed to feel immersive and resort-like, yet it doesn’t overwhelm the block or disrupt the openness of the garden. Instead, it enhances the way the home engages with its surroundings, offering multiple zones for entertaining, relaxing and enjoying the subtropical climate. From inside, views extend across greenery and water, reinforcing a constant dialogue between built form and landscape.
“The pool and garden area really became the heart of the project,” de Vos explains. “It’s where the family naturally gravitates, whether that’s kids in the water, long lunches outdoors or just quiet moments in the shade. It feels like a private oasis, but it still belongs to the whole home.”
Material selection plays a major role in shaping the home’s atmosphere, with a strong focus on natural, high-performance timber products supplied through Big River Group’s Burleigh Heads branch. Contemporary box forms are expressed through vertical shiplap cladding in Accoya timber, a durability class 1 sustainable wood chosen for its stability and longevity in coastal conditions. Accoya was also used for exterior decking, ensuring a cohesive finish across outdoor living zones while providing a surface designed to withstand the elements and heavy family use.
“Using timber cladding for the exterior and decking gave us confidence from a performance point of view, especially so close to the coast,” says de Vos. “But it also delivers aesthetically, it will weather off to a beautiful soft grey that really suits the Byron Bay environment.”
Inside, Tasmanian Oak tongue-and-groove solid flooring, sourced through Big River Group’s national supply network, runs throughout the key living areas, complemented by matching timber mouldings and internal doors. By working with trusted wholesale partners, Big River was able to support the project with high-quality solid oak flooring that aligned with the home’s architectural intent.
These elements bring warmth underfoot and reinforce the home’s relaxed coastal feel, extending the material palette in a way that creates subtle continuity from room to room. The soft oak tones are a standout feature of the renovation, adding natural texture and a sense of calm that balances the home’s clean architectural lines.
“Timber was key to getting the feel right,” de Vos explains. “The Tasmanian Oak floors, doors and mouldings introduce a softness that makes the spaces feel welcoming and lived-in, rather than overly polished. It ties everything together and strengthens that connection to nature.”
Beyond the visible finishes, Big River-manufactured LVL framing products were used as part of the home’s structural expansion. These structural components work quietly behind the scenes, supporting the architectural vision while ensuring strength, stability and long-term performance.
Throughout the home, the consistent use of timber products helps shape a cohesive atmosphere across both interiors and exteriors. The natural finishes enhance the coastal character, support seamless transitions between spaces and allow the home to sit comfortably within its lush setting.
More than anything, Dylan Lane is a home designed to be lived in by multiple generations. Its spaces encourage togetherness while still allowing for solitude, and its connection to the landscape fosters a constant sense of calm. For the team behind it, the most rewarding outcome is seeing how seamlessly the home now supports the rhythms of family life.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to watch the home being used exactly as it was intended,” de Vos reflects. “It feels relaxed, welcoming and deeply connected to its environment. That’s what makes Dylan Lane special – it’s not just a renovation, it’s a place for memories to be made for years to come.”
