--- title: "Straddie Shack Trio Snags Top Gong: Prefab Design a Winner for Coastal Builds" url: https://australianproperty.network/property/design-construct/construction-methods-management/modern-methods-of-construction/modular-construction-modern-methods-of-construction/straddie-shack-trio-snags-top-gong-prefab-design-a-winner-for-coastal-builds/ date: 2025-08-06 modified: 2025-08-06 author: "APN News" description: "The \"Blok Three Sisters\" project on North Stradbroke Island has won the 2025 Houses Award for House of the Year, showcasing the potential of prefabricated modular housing in sensitive coastal environments. Designed by Blok Modular, the project comprises three identical two-storey terraces built for three sisters, prioritising equitable beach access and minimising environmental impact. For Australian property professionals, this award-winning project highlights the growing viability of prefabricated construction. Key takeaways include the cost-effectiveness of modular builds, achieved through design efficiencies and factory-based construction. The project's rapid completion, despite pandemic challenges, underscores the time-saving benefits. Furthermore, the design prioritises environmental sustainability, aligning with increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly building practices. The \"stealth density\" achieved through the design offers a replicable model for increasing housing density in coastal areas, potentially applicable to social housing initiatives. While the project features identical units, modular construction offers design flexibility, catering to diverse client needs. This project demonstrates that prefabricated housing can achieve architectural merit, potentially shifting buyer perceptions and driving demand for this innovative construction method. The success of Blok Three Sisters suggests a promising future for modular housing as a sustainable and efficient solution for the Australian property market." categories: - "Modular Construction" tags: - "APN News" - "Property Prices" image: https://australianproperty.network/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sustainable-beachfront-development-1024x558.webp word_count: 691 --- # Straddie Shack Trio Snags Top Gong: Prefab Design a Winner for Coastal Builds ## Straddie Shack Trio Snags Top Gong: Prefab Design a Winner for Coastal Builds A modular housing project on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) has been awarded the 2025 Houses Award for House of the Year, highlighting the potential of prefabricated construction in sensitive coastal environments. The "Blok Three Sisters" project, designed by Brisbane's Blok Modular, comprises three identical two-storey terraces built for three sisters on land they inherited near Home Beach, according to *The Guardian*. #### The Project: Equitable Access and Stealth Density The sisters, who had holidayed at the original 1970s house since childhood, decided against selling the property, despite its state of disrepair. Instead, they commissioned Blok Modular to design three separate units, with a key requirement being equitable access to the beach for all three siblings, according to *The Guardian*. Architect Daniel Burnett told *The Guardian* that the sisters were very clear about this need. The resulting design features three identical three-bedroom, two-bathroom units, each with a private deck opening onto a shared beachside lawn. According to *The Guardian*, Burnett designed the units to maximise the feeling of being immersed in nature. John Ellway, a juror for the Houses Awards, described the project as an example of "stealth density," noting its potential for replication in other locations, according to *The Guardian*. #### Prefabrication and Cost Considerations The sisters opted for a prefabricated modular build to ensure a quick and efficient construction process. According to *The Guardian*, Burnett partnered with architect Stuart Vokes from Brisbane’s Vokes and Peters and builders Pagewood Projects to create the modules. Prefabrication minimised disruption to the island's delicate ecosystem and allowed for more ambitious construction techniques using factory machinery, according to *The Guardian*. Designing identical units, including furnishings, was a cost-saving measure, according to one of the sisters quoted in *The Guardian*. The modular build also provided timing certainty, with the project completed within a year of engaging the architects, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to *The Guardian*. #### Implications for the Property Market The success of the Blok Three Sisters project underscores the growing viability of prefabricated housing as a solution to increasing housing density, particularly in coastal areas. According to *The Guardian*, Burnett believes the project demonstrates a model for housing density that could be applied to other models, like social housing. For property professionals, this project highlights several key considerations: - **Cost-effectiveness of modular construction:** The project demonstrates that prefabricated homes can be built to a high standard while remaining within budget, potentially offering a more affordable alternative to traditional construction methods. - **Speed of construction:** The rapid completion of the project, despite the pandemic, showcases the time-saving benefits of modular construction, which can be a significant advantage for developers. - **Environmental sustainability:** The reduced disruption to the environment during construction aligns with the growing demand for sustainable building practices. - **Design flexibility:** While the Blok Three Sisters project features identical units, modular construction can also be adapted to create custom designs, offering flexibility for different client needs. The award-winning design of Blok Three Sisters, as reported by *The Guardian*, suggests that prefabricated housing is not just a practical solution but can also achieve high levels of architectural merit, potentially influencing buyer perceptions and increasing demand for this type of construction. This article is based on a report from [www.theguardian.com](http://www.theguardian.com) titled "Australia’s house of the year goes to a prefab beach shack trio on Stradbroke Island | Australian lifestyle". You can find the original article here: [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/aug/02/australia-2025-house-of-the-year-blok-three-sisters-prefab-beach-shack-modules-brisbane-stradbroke-island](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/aug/02/australia-2025-house-of-the-year-blok-three-sisters-prefab-beach-shack-modules-brisbane-stradbroke-island) **Suggested Research for The Masterful Fellow™:** How can property professionals leverage modular construction and equitable design principles to create sustainable, multi-generational housing solutions that foster community and preserve natural environments? #### Disclaimer The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. The Australian Property Network (APN) is not a licensed financial advisor. The content is based on data from third-party sources and is provided without any warranty as to its accuracy, currency, or completeness. Property values can go down as well as up. Before making any property or investment decisions, you should conduct your own research and consider seeking independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances.