Set high on the cliffs above Sydney's private Bungan Beach, at the top end of a secret track leading directly to the beach below, Christensen Timber Designs 'Bungan' is major residential project completed in 2007.

As with so many northern beaches sites, 'Bungan' began on a difficult site – sandy, sloping, cliff-like in parts. Hand-in-hand with this cliffside site are incredible, deep ocean views, offering an ever-changing natural 'feature attraction'.

With an ideal northeast aspect, the sun rises crisply over the horizon and promises big days of blue sea and sky, tempered by sea breezes.

The aim in designing and building on this site was naturally to maximize access to the view from the house, to capitalize on the best aspects of such beachside living and to overcome the challenges associated with living so close to the coast.

This family home is multi-leveled in design in line with the slope of the cliff. This makes for great family living, with zones for different family members, friends and occasions, with areas for entertaining and retreating to sleep.

Living areas, including lounge and indoor and outdoor dining face the coast with retractable doors allowing the outdoors in. The open-plan kitchen draws from the lounge and dining areas and is always the centre of activity.

The magnificent master bedroom with open ensuite and walk-through wardrobe presents uninterrupted ocean views. Bathrooms are lavish and large, and entertaining areas include home theatre, games/pool room and cool wet-edge pool.