“It’s a place where you feel your blood pressure drop.” That’s how renowned architect Bayden Goddard describes the home he designed for his family on the Gold Coast’s idyllic Isle of Capri .

“We’d already built our family home in another part of the island – lots of concrete, the typical architect’s dream – but we had young kids and we found living on the [main part of the] river to be quite noisy. We’d been watching this block on Adam’s Basin for 10 years and one day we just had to extend ourselves to buy it.”

The build didn’t get off to a smooth start. “It was a bit of a mixed batch,” Goddard says. “We started renovating the existing property and about two months in, we said: ‘You know what? Stuff it.’ We knocked the whole thing down.”

Goddard’s vision was to create what he’d longed for in their previous Isle of Capri residence. “This house is more like a retreat. The other was more exposed, but the area we’re in now is sheltered by trees, it’s nice and quiet and the blocks are much larger.”

Positioned on Naples Avenue, the residence finds itself in a peaceful cul de sac. Goddard says the prospect of no through traffic, either from cars or from boats along the basin, was a huge draw-card.

“It’s almost like being on holidays. Seriously. In other parts of the Gold Coast houses are built right next to each other and almost ooze into their neighbours. Here there’s a perception of space.”

Reflecting on his time in the property, Goddard points to the two-storey living area as a highlight, a space where his family of five could comfortably spend time together.

The al fresco pavilion, which offered a retreat from the main residence, also served the Goddards well. “It’s been a great [spot] for people to get their own space, plus you’ve got those river views.”

Goddard is now moving on, ready for an “empty nester” property to replace his home of eight-to-nine years. However the tranquility he’s found here will be hard to beat.

“That’s the strength of this house. It’s just been really good for us.”

Kollosche agent Michael Kollosche is selling the property with a price guide of $4.9 million.

This article originally appeared on Domain.com.au titled “‘You feel your blood pressure drop’: The $4.9 million home that architect Bayden Goddard is selling”