A New Perspective On Small-Scale Living: The Oculus By Retreat House
The Oculus by Retreat House sets a new standard for mobile living—design-led, climate-smart, and deeply rooted in nature, inviting you to roam free and live with intention.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos TIM CLARK Interior Design & Styling SKYE MCCLOUD-TAYLOR Build CHRIS KING CONSTRUCTIONS
The Oculus is a 21-square-metre, steel-framed, architect designed mobile building that is road-ready and suitable for all warm temperate and subtropical climates across Australia.
Crafted with timber joinery and sculptural, minimalist lines, the dining nook in The Oculus embodies thoughtful Australian design—inviting quiet gatherings and an intimate connection with nature.
‘Designed and built to resonate with those wishing to add value to their property or those eager to dip their toes into architecture, seeking spaces that reflect their values without compromising on quality or design,. says Skye McCloud-Taylor, interior designer for Retreat House.
Framed by timber the bedroom opens to the landscape beyond, blurring boundaries between inside and out.
‘The design of The Oculus takes inspiration from the "oculus," an elevated opening in the ceiling that draws light into the space, facilitates natural ventilation and establishes a visual connection to the sky.’
Layered natural materials and thoughtful minimalism invite moments of calm and quiet connection to the landscape beyond.
Each zone feels purposeful and intimately connected to its natural surroundings.
The bathroom balances muted green tiles, timber warmth and minimalist details.
Timber shutters and earthy linens create a soft, tranquil retreat in the bedroom space.
“It’s important that we have a responsibility as builders to learn more and encourage that influence where we can. I feel passionate about the groundswell in the industry of good builders who care about building energy-efficient homes.”
Nestled lightly in the Byron hinterland, The Oculus by Retreat House celebrates a quiet synergy between architecture and landscape—a timber-clad retreat designed to breathe with its natural surrounds.
‘The design of The Oculus takes inspiration from the "oculus," an elevated opening in the ceiling that draws light into the space, facilitates natural ventilation and establishes a visual connection to the sky,’ says architect, Hayley Pryor.
In Byron Bay, builder Chris King unveils The Oculus: Retreat House’s debut model merging refined architecture with energy efficiency and climate-responsive design—a new take on compact living.
Retreat House emerged from King’s mission to create homes that are affordable, beautifully crafted, and built with environmental responsibility at their core. Frustrated by the inefficiencies and escalating costs in conventional building, he set out to become part of the solution.
‘It is important that we have a responsibility as builders to learn more and encourage that influence where we can. I feel passionate about the groundswell in the industry of good builders who care about building energy-efficient homes,’ says Chris.
At just 21 square metres, The Oculus is a road-ready, steel-framed mobile home designed for warm temperate and subtropical climates. The name references the striking central skylight, or "eye," that defines both its aesthetic and environmental performance.
‘The design of The Oculus takes inspiration from the 'oculus,' an elevated opening in the ceiling that draws light into the space, facilitates natural ventilation and establishes a visual connection to the sky. This gesture not only defines the spatial character of the design but also serves as a passive climate-control device, responding to the subtropical environment,’ says architect, Hayley Pryor.
Inside, the palette is a thoughtful mix of rustic texture and refined restraint. ‘The material palette and expressed joinery evoke a sense of familiarity and simplicity,’ says Hayley. Corrugated steel wraps the exterior, while interiors feature hardwood ply lining, recycled barn flooring, and a handmade blackbutt vanity. A central dining nook under the skylight invites slow meals and quiet moments.
‘We have layered rustic texture with modern restraint and sophistication. This isn’t minimalism for its own sake—it’s a deliberate, function-led approach, proving that small-scale living doesn’t mean sacrificing good design,’ says Skye McCloud-Taylor, interior designer for Retreat House.
The Oculus represents a necessary shift in how Australians think about housing: adaptable, sustainable, and deeply intentional. ‘Retreat House has become my sanctuary, offering simpler times with fewer distractions,’ says Chris.
Through The Oculus, Retreat House offers a new lens on mobile living—one where design, sustainability and freedom come together in harmony.
