How can you divide a piece of beach land between three sisters without any of them losing the best view of the sea? In Australia, the answer came with the Blok Three Sisters project: three identical, narrow, modular houses on Stradbroke Island.
The project, published by The Guardian, was named Australia’s House of the Year in 2025. It transformed a family heritage into a balanced solution, preserving memory, sea views and equal space for all.
The land, located close to the beach on Stradbroke Island, had an old 1970s house built by the sisters’ parents. The property was used by the family on vacation since childhood. Selling the lot would end this tradition, which motivated the search for another solution.
The alternative was to replace the single house with three independent, identical, two-story residences. Manufactured in Brisbane, the units were transported to the island and assembled on site. Thus, no sister had a clear advantage over the others.
Why were houses made narrow
The houses were designed long and narrow to fit side by side without blocking the view of the sea. Each has two floors, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The vertical design made better use of the lot and reduced the risk of disputes.
The identical pattern — from the wooden floors to the light fixtures — reinforced the feeling of balance. On beach lots, the position defines the view, ventilation and quality of the space. Architecture solved the problem without creating winners.
How the modules were manufactured and transported
Much of the construction took place at a factory in Brisbane. The modules arrived ready by land transport and were assembled on site. Local teams only made the hydraulic and electrical connections.
This modular construction was ideal for an island: it reduced construction time, environmental impact and the need to keep teams on the ground for a long time. The project was ready in less than a year.
What already came ready from the factory
Windows, doors, tiles, joinery, taps and floors arrived finished from the factory. This speeded up assembly and gave greater control over finishing, avoiding delays common in conventional works near the beach.
Why equality prevented family conflict
The sisters decided everything together. The houses came out exactly the same by design and, to decide who would get each one, they did a simple draw during dinner. The strategy avoided difficult negotiations over every meter of land.
Factory production also brought predictability and reduced interference with the natural area of Stradbroke Island.
The result is an award-winning complex that balances family heritage, practicality and architectural beauty.