Sold out in Byron Bay: inside CADRE's design-first approach to sustainable living

Developer CADRE, the development arm of the Tyas Family Group, has sold out LUSSO, only six residences, on Paterson Street, Byron Bay, designed by Davis Architects and built around a simple idea: that sustainability and good architecture shouldn't be a trade-off.

The development sits in one of Byron's most tightly held streets, and reflects what the Northern Rivers does best - homes that open to landscape, move with the climate, and feel like they belong exactly where they are.

Sustainability sits at the core of the development, not as an overlay, but as a principle embedded from the outset. 

Passive design strategies have been carefully integrated to optimise orientation, airflow and thermal performance, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. 

Solar integration, battery readiness, heat pump technology, double glazing and high-performance building materials further contribute to long-term energy efficiency, while thoughtful design decisions ensure the homes are resilient, adaptable and built to endure then coastal environment.

Byron Bay resident and founder & creative director of CADRE, Christopher Tyas, views LUSSO as emblematic of a new generation of residential development - where sustainability initiatives do not impact the design or experience of home.

“At its core, LUSSO is a design-focused project that majors on sustainability, with our eco-objectives informing every layer of the project," said Christopher.

'We’ve taken a performance-led approach from the outset, integrating passive design principles, energy efficiency and material selection into the fabric of the architecture."

LUSSO is designed by Davis Architects, a Byron Bay-based award-winning practice known for its refined, contextually responsive approach to residential architecture. 

The studio has built a reputation for delivering high-end homes shaped by place, climate and lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on natural materiality, light- filled spaces and environmentally responsive design.

The architectural expression of LUSSO is grounded in a subtropical, mid-century Palm Springs-inspired language, defined by crisp geometry, symmetry and a confident, sculptural form. 

Timber slatted breeze shutters wrap the façades, introducing rhythm and tactility while mediating light, airflow and privacy. 

Paired with a natural material palette and layered landscaping, the result is a built form that feels both composed and relaxed - a contemporary interpretation of coastal architecture that supports a new model of luxury, sustainable micro-community compound living within the Byron Bay context.

Davis Architects principal, Ed Davis, said the project presented an opportunity to explore a design language that is defined by locality and elevated in its execution.

“Our approach is always grounded in place - understanding how a home sits within its environment and how people will move through and live within it," said Ed.

"At LUSSO, that meant creating homes that feel both open and private, with a strong connection to light, landscape and climate, while maintaining a level of refinement that reflects the Byron Bay setting.

“Working with CADRE felt like a natural alignment - there’s a shared commitment to design that is both aspirational and responsible, where sustainability and architecture inform one another from the outset, allowing for a more resolved and considered outcome.”

Each of the four-bedroom residences has been designed as a private retreat, where indoor and outdoor living are seamlessly intertwined. 

Landscaped courtyards feature plunge pools, BBQ entertaining zones and secluded terraces, creating spaces that are equally suited to quiet retreat as they are to gathering and entertaining.

Secure double garages, internal lifts and flexible living zones further enhance the day-to-day functionality of the homes, supporting downsizers migrating to the region, permanent residents and those seeking a long-term coastal base. Materiality plays a defining role in shaping the visual identity of LUSSO. 

Clean architectural lines are softened through the use of eco-stone, natural timbers throughout and layered planting. 

Interiors feature Miele appliances, establishing a palette that feels both refined and relaxed. 

Expansive glazing and carefully resolved openings draw in natural light and encourage cross ventilation.

This allows each residence to respond intuitively to the climate while maintaining a sense of privacy and calm, framed by a landscape that extends and softens the architecture.

LARC Landscape Architects were responsible for the landscape design, bringing their signature approach with layered, tropical planting and outdoor environments that blur the boundary between architecture and landscape, reinforcing LUSSO’s identity as a private, resort-like residential enclave.

Luke Jones of LARC Landscape Architects said the project was an opportunity to create a landscape that feels immersive, considered and deeply connected to its coastal setting.

“Our intent with LUSSO was to create a series of outdoor spaces that feel both structured and reflective LUSSO’s architecture - where planting softens the sculptural styling and creates a sense of ‘home’, while still encouraging light and air to move freely through the site," said Luke.

"The landscape is designed to evolve over time, enhancing the experience of living in each residence and strengthens that connection to place.”

Together, these elements position LUSSO as more than a residential offering - a project shaped by a clear design vision and a deep understanding of place, where architecture, landscape and lifestyle are intrinsically connected.

“LUSSO was an opportunity to explore a design language that feels both elevated and grounded in its setting," said Christopher.

"The focus was on creating homes that are calm, enduring and connected - spaces that respond to light, landscape and climate in a way that enhances everyday living.

“For us, Byron Bay and the greater Northern Rivers region are incredibly important. It’s a place defined by a strong sense of identity and community, and we see our role as contributing to that in a considered way - delivering projects that add value, respecting the landscape and supporting the next phase of growth."

For more off-the-plan property news, click here.