The architecture at Mahers Landing is conceived as an extension of the landscape rather than an imposition upon it. Building scale, siting and material selection are carefully calibrated to sit within the coastal environment, allowing the restored saltmarsh and native planting to remain the dominant presence across the site.

A restrained material palette establishes cohesion across the precinct. Australian silvertop ash and black-stained timber form the primary cladding, while blackbutt is used to articulate decks and verandahs, including the restaurant’s outdoor dining areas and the private terraces of the eco cabins. Timber batten screens provide shading, wind protection and privacy, moderating the coastal conditions without enclosing the buildings unnecessarily. Concrete paths and amenity slabs incorporate local aggregates sourced from the Anderson Inlet region, grounding the development materially within its context. Gravel pathways and recycled timber duckboard walkways connect the various precincts while maintaining permeability and allowing the landscape to remain legible.

The built form draws from the simplicity of the Australian vernacular. Rectilinear volumes and pitched roofs reference the agrarian history of the site while allowing for efficient construction and reduced material waste. Galvanised corrugated roofing, steel structure and black-framed openings establish a consistent architectural language across all buildings. While the forms are modest, detailing through roof pitch, eave depth and carefully proportioned openings gives each building clarity and presence.

Siting and aspect are fundamental. The boating retail and kiosk building addresses the water directly, reinforcing its relationship to the existing boat ramp and associated facilities. A continuous verandah provides sheltered, shaded edges in response to prevailing coastal winds. The gallery and restaurant occupy a more central position within the site, immersed in saltmarsh and native planting while maintaining framed views to Andersons Inlet. Eco cabins are dispersed within the revegetated landscape, each oriented to capture outlook while maintaining privacy and seclusion.