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Completed in just six weeks by Australian practice Archiblox, this modest prefab home is perched atop cliffs with prime views of Avalon Beach, just a short drive away from Sydney. Oriented east to west to maximize cross ventilation, the house is clad in marine-grade Colorbond Ultra steel and Queensland blue gum to protect against the elements.

Completed in December 2023, Yandoit House was designed by Archier and prefabricated by Candour.

“The landscaping is kind of like a mullet,” says Mandy. “We went with more of a desert, cactus-scape in the front. It’s very formal in the front and the back is a lot more wild and lush. It's fun.”

The couple took advantage of numerous municipal programs when landscaping the backyard. Mandy recently completed a free course through LADWP, who also promotes resources for the SoCal Turf Replacement Program, to become a certified California Native Plant Landscape: “There is an amazing amount of knowledge and resources for transitioning yards with more native/drought-tolerant plants through LADWP and the Theodore Payne Foundation,” says Mandy.

One of Mandy’s many Pandemic home-improvement projects was learning to plumb via the new mini hot tub in the backyard.

A new pergola completes the outdoor dining area set against an abundant bougainvillea backdrop.

Floor Plan of Tera Haus by Mapa Architects

The architects envisioned entry-facing and beach-front sides like an analog camera's viewfinder and wide-angle lens, with the rammed-earth-clad central interior wall leading the way.

The home is built into its grassy-dune landscape (icluding a day-lit lower level) yet still appears to float over its terrain.

Although the units come with aluminum cladding by default, CABN offers to different materials at additional cost.