Babylon House Interior | Casey Brown Architecture | Photographer: Zella Casey Brown
The winners of the Australian Institute of Architects 2025 National Architecture Awards were revealed at a ceremony held at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra on Thursday November 6.
Among those winners announced are Pittwater's 'Babylon House' by Casey Brown Architecture for the The Emil Sodersten Award, a National award for Curl Curl's Lagoon House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture.
In the Heritage Architecture category the Lachlan Macquarie Award went to the Parliament of NSW Restoration by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Purcell Architecture, and in Urban Design the Walter Burley Griffin Award went to Sydney Metro City Stations – Sydney Metro, while the National Award in Sustainable Architecture went to Metronet Morley-Ellenbrook Line Project – Woods Bagot with TRCB, TCL and UDLA.
Congratulations to Casey Brown Architecture for their project Babylon House which received the Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture at the National Architecture Awards.
Emil Lawrence Sodersten (1899-1961) was an Australian architect active in the second quarter of the 20th century. His work encompassed the Australian architectural styles of Art Deco and Functionalist & Moderne. His design for the Australian War Memorial was "the first national architectural monument in Australia".
The Jury citation for Babylon House is:
"Nine years in the making, Babylon House is an extraordinary reworking of an existing house. Nestled in bushland on the ridge between Pittwater and Avalon Beach, the original home was a quirky product of the 1950s, typical of the area. Its purchase by new owners in 2015 was followed by a long and thoughtful collaboration between Casey Brown Architecture and the client, one that preserves the best of the original house while infusing it with the personality and spirit of its new owners."
Builder | DCB - David Campbell Building. Traditional Owners | Eora / Kuring -gai.
In the NSW awards, announced earlier this year, Babylon House, perched on the Avalon-Clareville escarpment won two awards: The John Verge Award for Interior Architecture and the award for Alterations and Additions.
Across the estuary, Morning Bay House, has won an award in the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) category.
The jury citation for Peter Stutchbury Architecture project Lagoon House, which received an Award for Residential Architecture - Houses (New) at the National Architecture Awards, reads:
"Modest from the street, Lagoon House unfolds internally as a masterful sequence of layered spaces moderated with light and air. The client sought a home that would endure, prompting Peter Stutchbury Architecture to embrace a new direction – one heavily grounded in place and material longevity. Off-form concrete walls anchor the house, complemented by a restrained palette of precisely detailed timber, copper and brass finishes."
Builder | David Watson Building. Traditional Owners | Garigal People
Lagoon House | Peter Stutchbury Architecture | Photographer: Gabrielle Colthorpe
Between 1000-1500 Narrabeen and Pittwater residents gathered on Saturday morning, November 8, to protest against a DA submitted to the State Government via the State Significant Development pathway, which enables proposals to bypass local council planning controls and makes the government's Planning Department the decision maker.
The DA was open for feedback for 14 days, from October 23 to November 5 2025, and with no advertising or Notices, it was locals making others aware that this had been lodged and where they now had to submit comments to, that ensured any local voices heard.
The Exhibition period was extended by 1 day to 6 November 2025 'due to technical issues with the NSW Planning Portal'.
The DA proposes the demolition of the existing Wesley Taylor Narrabeen site and establishing a seniors housing development 'for over 60s'. The construction proposes a 5 to 6 storey seniors housing development of over 21 metres in height, with 3 levels of basement car parking spaces (192 in total including 7 for visitors), 149 independent living units listed as 44 x 2B units; 59 x 2B + study units; and 46 x 3B units, and a 10 bed residential care facility.
The project seeks to remove 69 trees (24 of which are significant) and will retain 13 trees (7 significant trees and 6 non-significant). The trees to be retained are neighbouring trees and those on the periphery of the site including the well-established Norfolk Island Pine trees located along the Ocean Street and Octavia Street frontage. Any understory of these trees will likely be removed and re-landscaped, the EIS states.
The proponents documents show they are applying for a BDAR Waiver Request.
A BDAR Waiver Request is an application to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to waive the requirement for a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) for a project, which can only be applied for by a proponent of a State Significant Development (SSD) or State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) project. So any wildlife that feeds on the trees to be removed, or lives in these trees, would not be considered.
The planting of 54 new native trees is also proposed, within the site.
The bulk of these trees are being removed as the whole site will be excavated to facilitate the basement parking spaces. Residents have pointed out that digging downwards three levels will be digging into the water-table. And this stretch of Narrabeen is also famous for flooding.
The plan to remove the century-old Norfolk Island Pines has not been popular with locals.
''These trees are part of Narrabeen’s living heritage. They frame our coastline, shelter wildlife, and hold stories that span generations. Offset planting cannot replace a century of growth, nor the beauty and presence of these mature trees.'' residents Belinda, Sascha and Hannah told Pittwater Online this week.
''This development affects far more than the landscape — it threatens the character of our neighbourhood and the calm of the lagoon area. Many residents aren’t yet aware of what’s at stake, and it’s important that we help spread the word.''
''These Norfolk Pines have stood watch for a century. Let’s stand for them now.''
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby attended the protest, pointing out the LEP (Local Environment Plan) allowed for 8.5metres or 2-3 storey buildings in this vicinity, which could be stretched to 12.3 metres under state government policy.
The site, comprising 156-164 Ocean Street, 81-81A Lagoon Street and 8 Octavia Street Narrabeen, which would be completely filled with the high-rise buildings, was the former Wesley Taylor Narrabeen aged care home.
Wesley Taylor Narrabeen was Wesley Mission’s longest running aged care facility, opening its doors in 1929 as ‘The Outlook’, a home for aged men of 'reduced means', and expanding to become the WG Taylor Memorial Home in 1935.
It was named to honour the Rev. William George Taylor who became the first Superintendent of Wesley Mission in 1884.
The Wesley Methodists' came into possession of the site at Narrabeen after the premature death of then owner Lebbeus Hordern (31 May, 1891 to 10 September, 1928), and expanded the facility and its land holding over the decades.
Wesley homes for elderly people were primarily funded through donations from the congregations and the broader public. This enabled the Methodist Church to provide care for the elderly, especially those who were poor or disadvantaged.
See April 2023 report: Wesley Taylor Narrabeen to close – will be sold to Developers: + a few history insights into the 93 year run of this home for the elderly
Profile of the Week Peter Watson, Founder of Men's Kitchen: Nominee for 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW
Wesley Taylor Narrabeen was Wesley Mission’s longest running aged care facility, opening its doors in 1929 as ‘The Outlook’, a home for aged men of 'reduced means', and expanding to become the WG Taylor Memorial Home in 1935.
It was named to honour the Rev. William George Taylor who became the first Superintendent of Wesley Mission in 1884, and who was stated to be an evangelist.
''Revival followed him wherever he went and ailing Methodist causes were renewed in spiritual power, as well as in numbers and financial security. Taylor was a man of vision with the executive and administrative ability to implement his ideals. Able to inspire extraordinary loyalty in others who willingly co-operated in his plans, he combined the traditional spiritual life of the Church with Christian humanitarianism.'' Don Wright states in his biography on the man.
Wesley homes for elderly people were primarily funded through donations from the congregations and the broader public. This enabled the Methodist Church to provide care for the elderly, especially those who were poor or disadvantaged.
The Wesley Methodists' came into possession of the site at Narrabeen after the premature death of then owner Lebbeus Hordern (31 May, 1891 to 10 September, 1928) after he took too much of a sleeping powder he had used to deal with ongoing insomnia.
Lebbeus was related to Alfred James Hordern (1859 -1932) of Kalua, Palm Beach.
Park Bench Philosophers Art exhibition celebrates veterans’ transitions Beyond Service 
Pictures New Pittwater Pathways films - Latest on NSW Planning Law Changes: Pittwater MP + Assoc. Prof. Tanya Latty on 'Saving the little critters that run the world' at PNHA AGM + Synthetic Turf: Myth Vs. Reality - Community Forum at Mona Vale by John Illingsworth
Food Asparagus: Spring Vegetable recipe ideas
Events PBSC Regatta, 50 years of Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group Celebration, Author Talks, Christmas-Summer Sailing Camps for youngsters already coming in, Regattas, Art Exhibitions, Music, Markets, Social Groups + Heaps more on!
Community News Beware of scams targeting older people: Dept. of Health, 2026 Australian of the Year Awards Nominees for NSW, Remembrance Day 2025, Vessel sinks near Church Point, Birdwood Park Bushcare Group Narrabeen, NSW boaties urged to ditch dated flares, 2025/26 Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, Vale Chief Superintendent Craig Geddes, 50 years of Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group, Mowanna Dads' Group, City and bush benefit from $6.5m community grant program, Palm Beach Sailing Club's Beware the Bullets Regatta 2025, Proposed lease expansion at Church Point: Have your say, Bryan Brown in conversation with Matilda Brown, Mosquito Season: Please Protect yourselves, Petition: Stop Politicians from spamming & harvesting our data, Council meetings: new rules Will End the Public Forum Address, James Griffin MP Launches ‘Future Manly’, Manly LSC DA on Exhibition, Plastic grass for children's play spaces in Freshwater, Feedback on residents Council Experience Invited, Have your say: 2026-27 Budget: Pre-Budget submission, 2025 NSW Interbranch Championships, 2026 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, Avalon Sailing Club's Try Sailing Day is Saturday 15th November, Petition: Save Australian Stories, Avoid the Christmas rush with Australia Posts last-sending dates, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Lady Whistledown + Peggy, Marine Rescue Broken Bay Christmas Raffle 2025, Church Point Public Amenities and Bus Stop Upgrade, 2025 Veteran Community Grants Program, Pittwater Sports, Social, Environment, Residents Associations and Groups, Pittwater Offshore News
Environment Her Name is Siale, Birdwood Park Bushcare Group Narrabeen, Third annual review of the NSW biodiversity credits market, Council's Open Coast & Lagoons Coastal Management Program (CMP's): Scoping Study Feedback invited until December 14, Labor's Pro-mining - Pro-Logging 'Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025' passed by house of representatives - local MP's addresses, NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee final determinations for October 2025: Six Species added to critically endangered List, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service releases second annual Threatened Species Framework report, EPA cleans up banned skincare products containing microbeads, Solar recycling: new Sydney facility, Debris balls investigation update, Plan to tackle NSW rubbish: first chapter released, Cabbage tree palm: a sweet-leafed Australian native that waits 150 years to bloom, Nationals dump net zero – say Australia shouldn’t cut emissions faster than comparable countries, New Zealand Update: The government’s dismantling of climate laws breaks years of cross-party agreement, A deadly European hornet has reached NZ – we can all help stop its spread, Geopolitics, backsliding and progress: here’s what to expect at this year’s COP30 global climate talks, As global climate action threatens to stall can Australia step up at COP30 in Brazil?, New UN report a stark reminder of Labor's weak commitments on emissions targets: Greens, Luxury tourism is a risky strategy for African economies – new study of Botswana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Ukraine’s massive nature project is helping veterans and land recover, How the plastics industry shifted responsibility for recycling onto you the consumer, Wildlife recovery means more than just survival of a species, From nail bars to firefighting foams: how chemicals are deemed safe enough or too harmful, Environmental defenders are being killed for protecting our future – the law needs to catch up, Criminal psychologists are profiling a different kind of killer – environmental offenders, Why are so few environmental criminals on Interpol’s ‘most wanted’ list?, The alleged British links to mass deforestation and displacement in a conflict few have even heard of, Artificial developments weaken coastal resilience – here’s how mapping them can help, ‘You can’t eat electricity’: how rural solar farms became the latest battlefront in Britain’s culture war, Ancient Greeks and Romans knew harming the environment could change the climate, Magpies in Spring, Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services) Needs People for the Rescue Line, 2025-26 Seal Reveal underway, Envirolink Event: Talking Nature November 5 at Narrabeen, Long-range forecast overview, Thomas Stephens Reserve, Church Point - boardwalk + seawall works commenced, Great Southern Bioblitz 2025, Adopt your local beach program, Get ready for FrogID Week; Nov. 7-16, This Tick Season: Freeze it - don't squeeze it, Notice of 1080 Poison Baiting, Weed of the Week, Solar for apartment residents: Funding, Volunteers for Barrenjoey Lighthouse Tours needed, Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Recycling Batteries: at Mona Vale + Avalon Beach, Reporting Dogs Offleash - Dog Attacks to Council, Plastic Bread Ties For Wheelchairs, Stay Safe From Mosquitoes, Mountain Bike Incidents On Public Land, Report fox sightings, Marine Wildlife Rescue group on the Central Coast, Watch out - shorebirds about, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Community Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Reserves, Environment History insights + Walks, Birds, +
Aquatics Graham "Sid" Cassidy to be inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame
Children Sunday Cartoons - this Issue: Curious George Learns to Brush his Teeth, Putra Mas Arrives at Monarto Safari Park: A Historic Moment for Elephant Conservation, Santa's mailbox is open: Kids invited to hand-deliver their wishes in-store with Australia Post, Curious Kids: what’s it like to be a fighter pilot? + how did humans think about things, before they had language to think with? + what do plants do all day? + how does our brain send signals to our body? + how does our heart beat?, Stories this week: David Gets in Trouble + 'So Much Slime' read by June Squibb, local clubs for you
Youth Johann Strauss II - The Blue Danube Waltz, High School Certificate exams period finished, 2025 NSW Schools Spectacular's Remarkable participants, Her Name is Siale, Opportunities: Greece and Crete named as destinations for 2026 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship tour + Avalon Sailing Club Try Sailing Day is Saturday 15th November + Busk at The North Narrabeen NSHS P&C Boot Sale + Narrabeen SLSC Ocean Swim 2025 + PBSC's Beware the Bullets Regatta 2025 + Battle Of The Bands: opportunity to listen to great local music at Mona Vale, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Fool, Grattan on Friday: November 11 1975 – watching history being made, from the best seats in the house, New laws will force streaming giants to invest in local content – but it’s too soon to celebrate, The future of rugby league in Australia, NZ and the Pacific is here – and it’s brown, Brewery waste can be repurposed to make nanoparticles that can fight bacteria, Even in a simple game, our brains keep score – and those scores shape every choice we make, Universal Music went from suing an AI company to partnering with it. What will it mean for artists?, As retail workers brace for the silly season, this 20c solution could dial down customer verbal abuse, The Roman empire built 300,000 kilometres of roads: new study, How The Rocky Horror Picture Show reveals the magic of cult cinema, Jane Austen’s world ran on gossip – and she revelled in it, The White Stripes join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame − their primal sound reflects Detroit’s industrial roots, Girlbands Forever: BBC documentary charts the highs and lows of British girl groups – with one glaring omission, local groups and services for you
Seniors Beware of scams targeting older people: Dept. of Health, Peter Watson: Nominee for 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW, Greens to chair Aged Care inquiries into cost of care and future of the system, Scamps Urges Minns Government to Urgently Engage with NBH Medical Staff on Private Services, Watered down cash mandate disappoints: National Seniors, New digital inclusion stats show more to be done to ensure older Australians aren’t left behind, Payday super passage through Parliament a win for older Australians, Even a few thousand steps a day can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s – new study, New blood test could streamline Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment access: CSIRO, Lonely? Here’s how to connect with old friends – and make new ones, Grattan on Friday: November 11 1975 – watching history being made, from the best seats in the house, New laws will force streaming giants to invest in local content – but it’s too soon to celebrate, Silver Surfers: at Manly + Palm Beach - November dates, AvPals Term 4, The Chanterelle String Quartet with special guest Ben Jacks – French horn, Manly Warringah Choir: Dec. 7, groups-services for you
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DIY Ideas Some Lawn Care Tips To Keep Your Grass Greener This Spring-Summer: Aerate, Worm Up!, Fertilise, Watering, Mowing Basics, Installing New Turf
Johnson Brothers at Mona Vale stock everything you will for some lawn care this Spring, just pop into their revamped garden centre and talk to friendly trained staff about your garden needs.
