Beach House Auckland

The Architectural Concept

The design for this coastal new build focuses on three guiding principles: a understated exterior form that unfolds into rich interior spaces; a restrained palette of traditional materials; and distinct spatial contrast between volumes.

To achieve this, the house is split into two distinct, Abodo weatherboard gabled wings facing the ocean. The first houses the private family bedrooms, while the second comprises the main living area featuring a skillion roof with exposed timber rafters. From the street, the home presents a modest profile with a low, discreet entry. From the seaward elevation, however, the architecture scales up to meet the proportion of the cliffside, opening out onto a generous covered deck.

Internal Flow and Passive Design

The interior relies on a highly organized layout to manage the varied floor levels. Two central stairwells lead to the upper floors, illuminated by skylights that cast natural light deep into the rooflines and against internal weatherboard features. Beyond their visual function, these skylights act as thermal chimneys for passive cooling. The floor plan is anchored by a clear sightline axis, ensuring that while the spatial experiences change from room to room, you are always visually connected to either the vaulted living pavilion or the sea view.

Materiality and Recognition

The material palette is deliberately disciplined and limited to a few classic, durable tones. This approach maintains a robust simplicity in the detailing while offering a rich tactile experience.

Built in collaboration with Faulkner Construction, the home’s design and craftsmanship were recognized with the Resene Total Maestro Award (2021), the TIDA Highly Commended Award (2021), and a Master Builders Silver Award (2020).

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