Federal Residence By Zaher Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

Image of the exterior of the house, highlighting the expansive verandas on both sides of the structure, illuminated by the lights within.

🔥 Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Architects: Sam and Nat Zaher
Year: 2020
Location: Federal, Byron Bay
Category: New build
Features: Water Collection; Solar Power

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

Some of the wonderful tradesmen and suppliers that we worked with to see this project realized are:

An exterior shot of the building provides a glimpse into the bedroom section through an open glass door, allowing for a flow of fresh air to enter the space and creating a connection between the indoor and outdoor living areas.
An exterior shot of the building provides a glimpse into the bedroom section through an open glass door, allowing for a flow of fresh air to enter the space and creating a connection between the indoor and outdoor living areas.
The side of the building features a majestic tree that towers over the structure, casting a picturesque shadow onto the residence.
The side of the building features a majestic tree that towers over the structure, casting a picturesque shadow onto the residence.
The exterior of the building features a stunning in-ground pool, surrounded by a sleek glass wall fence that elegantly separates it from the main residence.
The exterior of the building features a stunning in-ground pool, surrounded by a sleek glass wall fence that elegantly separates it from the main residence.
A close-up shot from the veranda reveals an elegantly furnished outdoor space, complete with comfortable seating.
A close-up shot from the veranda reveals an elegantly furnished outdoor space, complete with comfortable seating.
An interior shot of the living section showcases walls that are constructed with vertical solid wood, creating the illusion of high ceilings and providing a sense of grandeur and spaciousness to the space.
An interior shot of the living section showcases walls that are constructed with vertical solid wood, creating the illusion of high ceilings and providing a sense of grandeur and spaciousness to the space.
An interior shot provides a glimpse into the inviting living space and offers a picturesque view of the in-ground pool and majestic trees outside.
An interior shot provides a glimpse into the inviting living space and offers a picturesque view of the in-ground pool and majestic trees outside.
An overview of the kitchen section reveals a unique design element in the form of solid wood grills that encase the space.
An overview of the kitchen section reveals a unique design element in the form of solid wood grills that encase the space.
The interior of the kitchen showcases a sleek and well-designed cooking area, complete with a central island that features a sink and ample counter space. The island serves as the focal point of the kitchen, providing a functional and versatile workspace for meal preparation.
The interior of the kitchen showcases a sleek and well-designed cooking area, complete with a central island that features a sink and ample counter space. The island serves as the focal point of the kitchen, providing a functional and versatile workspace for meal preparation.
detailed view inside the kitchen reveals an abundance of natural light streaming in through a skylight, illuminating the entire space.
Detailed view inside the kitchen reveals an abundance of natural light streaming in through a skylight, illuminating the entire space.
An interior shot of the bedroom showcases a huge and wide glass window that provides an unobstructed view of the lush and picturesque surroundings outside.
An interior shot of the bedroom showcases a huge and wide glass window that provides an unobstructed view of the lush and picturesque surroundings outside.
The bathtub, with its sleek and modern design, serves as the focal point of the bathroom, providing a relaxing and rejuvenating space for the occupants.
The bathtub, with its sleek and modern design, serves as the focal point of the bathroom, providing a relaxing and rejuvenating space for the occupants.
A close-up shot inside the bathroom showcases a luxurious and well-appointed space, featuring a rose gold sink and vanity mirror surrounded by an array of bulb lights.
A close-up shot inside the bathroom showcases a luxurious and well-appointed space, featuring a rose gold sink and vanity mirror surrounded by an array of bulb lights.

Sam and Nat Zaher designed and built their own mid-century modern bungalow in the village of Federal, buried in the hinterland of Byron Bay.

After moving from the city to the country, Sam and Nat rented an old house on the property for several years before deciding to buy it and build their dream home. Their new dwelling now sits, nestled in the garden as a graceful nod to modernism with clean linear forms that evoke memories of Sam’s childhood in the 1960s.

The clear vision was to create a house that stands like a modern sculpture in the garden, celebrates modernist architecture in the provincial Australian landscape and provides an impressive contrast between nature and man-made forms.
The completed home is a black and white box with interwoven geometrical shapes. It nestles into its context while sharply contrasting against the lush organic surroundings with strong-linear forms.

A large stone wall divides the public entry from the private zone and pool, while also providing a wayfinding device that leads people to a large custom-made feature entry door that appears to float in its alcove.

To complement the sculptural feel of the house, some of the furniture was bespoke designed by Zaher Architects.

🔥 Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

Read More