Legacy House is a fully off-grid, intergenerational retreat designed by architect Jessica Hardwick for her extended family. Located on former grazing land in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the house is a long-term place of refuge and reconnection — nurturing relationships across generations and restoring a previously degraded site.

The design centres on simplicity, durability and ease of living. Generous communal living spaces connect seamlessly with the outdoors, supporting extended family gatherings while maintaining a compact footprint. The house is designed as both physical and social infrastructure: to enable year-round enjoyment of the 51Ha site – in the form of both camping and use of the house and its surrounds.

Achieving a 7.8-star NatHERS rating, the house operates 100% off-grid with solar and battery power, 100kL+ rainwater harvesting, on-site wastewater treatment, and no air conditioning. Instead, a layered passive design strategy — including thermal mass, cross ventilation, operable shading, and solar analysis for shading effectiveness — delivers comfort naturally. Iterative energy modelling helped identify the tipping point where higher-spec glazing and insulation would no longer yield meaningful benefits. These funds were instead directed to adaptive features like indoor/outdoor blinds and landscaping for thermal comfort.

Material selections favour local, healthy, and recycled materials. Timber from the site and reclaimed buildings was used for joinery and screening. The ventilated facade features locally manufactured CLT cavity battens and Pro Clima wrap for durability and moisture control.

Guided by Land for Wildlife and Sunshine Coast Council, the landscape integrates native planting, food production and water-sensitive design — transforming the site ecologically.
Legacy House is a lived example of sustainable simplicity. Jess’ firsthand experience designing, building, and now occupying the home has strengthened her advocacy for clients pursuing more with less — proving that thoughtful design can be both efficient and joyful.

Photography by Alanna Jayne McTiernan