Residential Architectural and Interior Design - Northern Beaches

Coastal homes with European clarity, designed for living.

Architecture grounded in place and purpose

At The Great Indoors, we design timeless, light-filled homes across Sydney’s Northern Beaches — from Manly to Avalon and everywhere in between. Drawing on European principles of proportion, material honesty and restraint, our residential architecture blends coastal lifestyle with functional elegance.

Whether you're building a new home, undertaking a major renovation, or restoring a character-filled original, we create spaces that feel deeply connected to the site, the sun, and the way you live.

Coastal homes designed for life

Our design process is rooted in listening. Every home begins with understanding your aspirations, the natural qualities of the site, and how the architecture should support your daily life — quietly, beautifully, and sustainably.

We consider every element — from sun orientation and sea breezes, to neighbourhood context and longevity — ensuring your home is as thoughtful as it is beautiful.

Our residential architecture services

  • New home design

  • Renovations and alterations

  • Heritage-sensitive updates

  • Coastal and beachside homes

  • Duplex and secondary dwellings

  • Interior architecture & joinery design

  • DA and council approvals

Woman with curly hair wearing sunglasses holding two awards, one for Sydney Design Awards 2022 and one for London Design Awards 2022, standing against a plain wall.

Projects across the Northern Beaches

We work closely with homeowners throughout:

  • Manly

  • Freshwater

  • Dee Why

  • Narrabeen

  • Mona Vale

  • Avalon

  • Palm Beach…and beyond

Our work reflects the relaxed elegance of these coastal suburbs — natural textures, open spaces, and a seamless flow between indoors and out.

Meet Gesa Hopkinson

Residential Architectural Designer | M.Arch (Germany)

Gesa is a German-trained architectural designer with a Master’s degree in Architecture and a strong foundation in residential and small-scale design. Her work is grounded in the precision, clarity, and enduring principles of European architecture — particularly influenced by the clean lines and functional elegance of German and Nordic design traditions.

Based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Gesa brings a refined, minimalist approach to coastal living. She designs spaces that feel calm, intentional, and deeply connected to both their landscape and the people who inhabit them. At The Great Indoors, she draws on her European heritage to shape timeless homes that marry structure with soul.

Start your home design journey

If you're ready to design a home that feels grounded, intelligent and truly yours — we’d love to talk.

Based in the Northern Beaches.

Servicing Manly, Avalon, Freshwater and surrounding suburbs.

Contact us to book your free consultation.

Our services.

  • Custom Residential Design.

    From concept to completion, we design beautiful new homes that maximise light, space, and functionality while blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

  • Alterations & Additions.

    Whether you're extending your family home, reconfiguring internal spaces, or adding a second storey, we create smart, sustainable solutions that enhance lifestyle and add long-term value.

  • DA & CDC Drawings.

    Our team prepares high-quality Development Application (DA) and Complying Development Certificate (CDC) documentation, tailored to meet both local council requirements and NSW planning regulations.

  • Concept to Completion Support.

    From beachside builds to inner-city updates, our team is committed to delivering smart, sustainable design solutions that enhance the way you live.