Zoei by Comma Projects

Zoei House: A Study in Understated Luxury, Designed for Living

Designed as a high-end, multi-generational family home, Zoei House is grounded in a philosophy of calm, intentional living. Every element has been carefully considered to support how the home is used day to day, balancing architectural clarity with warmth and ease.

Author:: Guillaume Stevelinck
Published:: 2 avr. 2025 · Updated: 2 avr. 2026

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Project Background

Led by Comma Projects, the project spans concept through to interior detailing, material selection and styling. The result is a home that feels cohesive and resolved, where each decision contributes to a broader, unified story.

Located in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast, the home was designed by Emma Butterworth Architects and draws on Belgian design influences, with a focus on natural materials, soft light and timeless restraint.

At the centre of this approach is fire, not as an afterthought, but as a spatial and emotional anchor that shapes how the home is experienced.

Zoei House was conceived as a home for long-term, multi-generational living. The brief called for a space that felt grounded, functional and enduring, while still carrying a sense of refinement.

Rather than focusing on short-term trends, the design prioritises longevity. Every decision, from spatial planning to material selection, was guided by how the home would be lived in over time.

Comma Projects led the project end-to-end, ensuring that architecture, interiors and styling were developed as one continuous process. This hands-on approach allowed each layer of the home to remain aligned with the original vision.

It was always intended to feel calm, grounded and deeply considered… a home that feels grounding the moment you walk in.
Jenn Sinclar - Director of Comma Projects, Comma Projects

A key focus of the project was ensuring that every space felt connected. Materials flow seamlessly from exterior to interior, creating continuity rather than contrast.

Sightlines were carefully considered so that spaces remain visually linked, even when serving different functions. Outdoor areas were treated with the same level of design attention as the interiors, allowing the home to read as a single, cohesive environment.

From the street, the home’s scale is softened through warm, textural materials, including dark timber cladding and sand-toned brickwork. This same material language continues inside, reinforced by natural light from skylights and open volumes that shift the atmosphere throughout the day

Fireplaces were considered early in the design process, during the floor plan stage, rather than being introduced later as decorative additions.

This allowed fire to influence how rooms were arranged, how people move through them, and where moments of gathering naturally occur.

Rather than acting as a standalone feature, each fireplace becomes a quiet centre of gravity within the space, shaping both layout and experience.

EcoSmart Fire aligned closely with the project brief, offering a balance of architectural presence and design flexibility without introducing visual clutter.

Key considerations included:

Clean, minimal forms that integrate seamlessly into the architecture
Flexibility in placement without the need for complex infrastructure
Low maintenance and ease of use
A consistent design language across indoor and outdoor spaces

Featured Fireplaces in the Zoei House

XL900: Minimal Form, Maximum Presence

The two XL900 fireplaces were selected for their sleek, linear form and ability to integrate seamlessly into the architecture. Positioned alongside one another within the living space, they create a strong, unified focal point that anchors the room.

Rather than competing with the surrounding materials and forms, their minimal profile allows them to sit comfortably within the design, reinforcing a sense of balance, warmth and cohesion.

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Orbit 3: A Flexible, Atmosphere-Driven Feature

Positioned within the master suite, the Orbit 3 introduces a more intimate and adaptable expression of fire. Designed as a freestanding piece, it allows for flexibility in how the space is experienced, offering ambience without the need for a built-in installation.

Its ability to rotate and be repositioned within the room adds a level of versatility, allowing the fireplace to respond to different moments and uses throughout the day. The glass surround and elevated form create a 360-degree view of the flame, reinforcing its presence without overwhelming the space.

Selected for its unique and slightly unexpected nature, the Orbit contributes to the calm, retreat-like feel of the bedroom, supporting the overall intent of creating a space that feels warm, considered and easy to live in.

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T-Lite Series: Subtle, Layered Outdoor Moments

The T-Lite 8 and T-Lite 3 introduce a more flexible expression of fire across the outdoor spaces, capable of acting as both a central feature and a more subtle, layered element depending on how they are placed.

In moments like the sunken seating area, they become a clear focal point, drawing people in and anchoring the space. In other areas, their compact scale allows them to sit more quietly within the environment, adding warmth and atmosphere without overwhelming the surrounding design.

Their versatility supports a more relaxed and adaptable way of using the outdoor areas, reinforcing the idea that these spaces are designed to be lived in, not just viewed.

Designing for Atmosphere and Living

While each fireplace serves a functional purpose, their impact extends beyond practicality.

Indoors, they create natural focal points that encourage slower moments and connection. Outdoors, they extend the usability of the space beyond warmer months, supporting year-round living and entertaining.

Across both settings, fire shapes how the home is experienced, shaping moments of pause, gathering and everyday use.

With everything brought together, Zoei House feels calm, cohesive and easy to live in, where materials, light and fire work together to create a home that is both functional and thoughtfully considered.

About Comma Projects

Led by Jenn Sinclair, Comma Projects is a design studio focused on delivering considered, design-driven homes that balance aesthetics with real-life functionality.

Jenn’s background in architecture and business management informs a highly detailed and intentional approach to design, with a strong appreciation for materiality, craftsmanship and how spaces are experienced day to day. Her work centres on creating residential environments that feel both refined and liveable, responding thoughtfully to their surroundings.  

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Project Information

Location: Palm Beach, Gold Coast, Australia
Design Studio: Comma Projects
Architect: Emma Butterworth Architects
Photography: Alyne Media