A Currumbin couple builds a modern treehouse

JAKE Cumberland, along with his partner Dakota Hallett are building a modern treehouse that is inspired by the bushland around their Currumbin property on the Gold Coast.

Aptly named ‘The Surrounds’, the unique build is the first personal project by Mr Cumberland, 28, a design coordinator with construction company, McNab, and Ms Hallett, 26, a lawyer.

When they saw koala marks on some trees on their 1,166 m block in April 2021, they knew they’d found the right spot.

Currumbin has recorded one of the Gold Coast’s highest rates of capital growth, with house prices there doubling over the last five years to 2022.

Although the original house was built on three levels in 1974, it had great character. However, its cedar-based construction has suffered.

The couple re-imagined their existing home. It retained its airy void, timber features and was designed to last.

“We loved the quirk of the overall form and its luxurious landscape, so while we are installing a new build we have kept the original design intent and highlighted the features that were most important to us,” Mr Cumberland said.

“However, being a timber home…