Olive Street Cabin by MGAO: A Minimalist Beach Retreat Rooted in Context

by Stefan Gheorghe

Tucked into the coastal hillside of Separation Creek, the Olive Street Cabin by MGAO is a 90-square-meter holiday home designed with quiet precision and regional sensitivity. Inspired by 1950s and ’60s cabins, the structure opens when in use and closes securely when unoccupied—mirroring the rhythm of retreat.

Olive Street Cabin MGAO

Olive Street Cabin MGAO project

Olive Street Cabin MGAO project interior design view

Olive Street Cabin MGAO Kitchen

Olive Street Cabin MGAO Kitchen 1

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom dwelling blends modern robustness with a stripped-back palette. Colorbond steel, Barestone cladding, and blackbutt timber were chosen for their honesty and resistance to bushfire. Floor-to-ceiling glazing with frameless detailing turns the panoramic ocean views into a living artwork, drawing the landscape directly into the heart of the cabin.

Olive Street Cabin MGAO hanging hood

Olive Street Cabin MGAO project dining area

Olive Street Cabin MGAO living area

Olive Street Cabin MGAO project sofa

The design is compact yet thoughtful. A stepped blackbutt timber bench connects the kitchen to the dining area, enhancing flow and functionality. The open plan maximizes connection between interior and exterior spaces, offering a calm, grounded atmosphere with every detail carefully considered.

Olive Street Cabin MGAO balcony view