DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Design Builders Waikato

Photography by: Troy Constable

In summation

Undeniably, this home boasts ‘stand out’ on approach.

Its strong coastal form and Japanese-style shou sugi ban cladding set the tone, while a kwila boardwalk-style path leads visitors to the front door, revealing the raw coastal aesthetic.

Inside, polished concrete floors, generously proportioned windows, and timber features including warm marine ply ceilings create a welcoming, light-filled interior.

The juxtaposition of raw and refined materials enhances visual depth and atmosphere.

Expansive stacker doors open to an outdoor retreat with matching ply-lined ceilings, a skylight, and a fireplace, offering warmth and ambience.

A kwila boardwalk-style path leads to the front door.
A kwila boardwalk-style path leads to the front door.

On cooler west coast days, the concrete floors capture and store heat, while the ducted internal fireplace provides additional comfort.

The home seamlessly combines striking design, practical comfort, and coastal functionality, reflecting the homeowners’ vision for a modern retreat.

Owner brief

The owners wanted a modern coastal home that would stand out on approach and feel like a true coastal retreat.

The home needed to maximise views and sunlight while providing shelter from strong sea breezes.

The brief included three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a guest powder room, a home office, and a double garage.

Functional living and entertaining spaces were a priority, with seamless indoor–outdoor flow and materials that reflected the coastal setting, combining durability with warmth and natural texture.

Dining setting in foreground and outdoor living space at rear – extended sightlines are enjoyed right across the interior and to the outdoors.
Dining setting in foreground and outdoor living space at rear – extended sightlines are enjoyed right across the interior and to the outdoors.

Challenges

The exposed coastal location required careful design to capture views and sunlight while providing protection from wind.

Selecting materials that could withstand the coastal environment without compromising the homeowners’ desired aesthetic was essential.

The layout also needed to accommodate multiple living areas and specialised spaces, including a scullery, wine cellar, and office, while maintaining functional flow.

Completing the project within budget was another key consideration.

Solutions

The home was designed with a strong coastal-inspired form, finished in shou sugi ban charred vertical cladding for durability and visual impact.

Large windows and doors were strategically positioned to frame the views and bring in natural light.

 

Media room with individualistic cladding brought inside as a feature wall.
Media room with individualistic cladding brought inside as a feature wall.

A sheltered outdoor retreat with a ply-lined ceiling, skylight, and fireplace provides a protected outdoor space for year-round use.

Inside, polished concrete floors store heat to maintain warmth, complemented by a ducted internal fireplace.

Warm marine ply ceilings and timber features add natural texture and depth, balancing the raw concrete and charred cladding.

The layout integrates two living areas, a high-end kitchen with scullery, a wine cellar, bedrooms, bathrooms, a powder room, a home office, and a double garage, all arranged for functional flow.

The project was completed on budget, meeting all the owners’ requirements.

 

The sheltered outdoor retreat with a ply-lined ceiling, skylight, and fireplace
The sheltered outdoor retreat with a ply-lined ceiling, skylight, and fireplace

Credit List

Group home builder
Design Builders Waikato
Kitchen design/manufacture
Motide
Interior designer
Interior designer Emma Fenwick
Cladding
Shou sugi ban – Double Brushed & Charred Pika Pika finish
Roof
Colorsteel Endura Styleline
Window/door joinery
Alitech Window Systems
Main flooring – living areas
Concrete
Bedroom flooring
Bremworth Aviemore Wool Carpet, from Van Dyks Flooring Xtra
Bathroom tiles
Wall tiles – Calla Bianco/Calla Black; ensuite floor/wall – Spirit Nero; feature shower wall tiles – Embargo Forest Wall; all supplied by Tiles On Devon
Paint
Resene Quarter Merino
General heating
Mitsubishi Heat Pump
Fireplace
Stovax Studio 2 Urban Fire (ducted)
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Highly Commended

In summation

Undeniably, this home boasts ‘stand out’ on approach.

Its strong coastal form and Japanese-style shou sugi ban cladding set the tone, while a kwila boardwalk-style path leads visitors to the front door, revealing the raw coastal aesthetic.

Inside, polished concrete floors, generously proportioned windows, and timber features including warm marine ply ceilings create a welcoming, light-filled interior.

The juxtaposition of raw and refined materials enhances visual depth and atmosphere.

Expansive stacker doors open to an outdoor retreat with matching ply-lined ceilings, a skylight, and a fireplace, offering warmth and ambience.

A kwila boardwalk-style path leads to the front door.
A kwila boardwalk-style path leads to the front door.

On cooler west coast days, the concrete floors capture and store heat, while the ducted internal fireplace provides additional comfort.

The home seamlessly combines striking design, practical comfort, and coastal functionality, reflecting the homeowners’ vision for a modern retreat.

Owner brief

The owners wanted a modern coastal home that would stand out on approach and feel like a true coastal retreat.

The home needed to maximise views and sunlight while providing shelter from strong sea breezes.

The brief included three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a guest powder room, a home office, and a double garage.

Functional living and entertaining spaces were a priority, with seamless indoor–outdoor flow and materials that reflected the coastal setting, combining durability with warmth and natural texture.

Dining setting in foreground and outdoor living space at rear – extended sightlines are enjoyed right across the interior and to the outdoors.
Dining setting in foreground and outdoor living space at rear – extended sightlines are enjoyed right across the interior and to the outdoors.

Challenges

The exposed coastal location required careful design to capture views and sunlight while providing protection from wind.

Selecting materials that could withstand the coastal environment without compromising the homeowners’ desired aesthetic was essential.

The layout also needed to accommodate multiple living areas and specialised spaces, including a scullery, wine cellar, and office, while maintaining functional flow.

Completing the project within budget was another key consideration.

Solutions

The home was designed with a strong coastal-inspired form, finished in shou sugi ban charred vertical cladding for durability and visual impact.

Large windows and doors were strategically positioned to frame the views and bring in natural light.

 

Media room with individualistic cladding brought inside as a feature wall.
Media room with individualistic cladding brought inside as a feature wall.

A sheltered outdoor retreat with a ply-lined ceiling, skylight, and fireplace provides a protected outdoor space for year-round use.

Inside, polished concrete floors store heat to maintain warmth, complemented by a ducted internal fireplace.

Warm marine ply ceilings and timber features add natural texture and depth, balancing the raw concrete and charred cladding.

The layout integrates two living areas, a high-end kitchen with scullery, a wine cellar, bedrooms, bathrooms, a powder room, a home office, and a double garage, all arranged for functional flow.

The project was completed on budget, meeting all the owners’ requirements.

 

The sheltered outdoor retreat with a ply-lined ceiling, skylight, and fireplace
The sheltered outdoor retreat with a ply-lined ceiling, skylight, and fireplace

[clean_tags]

Credit List

Group home builder
Design Builders Waikato
Kitchen design/manufacture
Motide
Interior designer
Interior designer Emma Fenwick
Cladding
Shou sugi ban – Double Brushed & Charred Pika Pika finish
Roof
Colorsteel Endura Styleline
Window/door joinery
Alitech Window Systems
Main flooring – living areas
Concrete
Bedroom flooring
Bremworth Aviemore Wool Carpet, from Van Dyks Flooring Xtra
Bathroom tiles
Wall tiles – Calla Bianco/Calla Black; ensuite floor/wall – Spirit Nero; feature shower wall tiles – Embargo Forest Wall; all supplied by Tiles On Devon
Paint
Resene Quarter Merino
General heating
Mitsubishi Heat Pump
Fireplace
Stovax Studio 2 Urban Fire (ducted)
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Highly Commended

Related Articles

Outdoor dining terrace clad in timber, visually aligned with the poolside area opposite.

Fresh and contemporary

Clean-lined landscape design blends seamlessly with modern architecture – outdoor entertaining, lush plantings, and thoughtful details create a serene retreat

Wood and brick cladding combines on the new home.

Contrast and connection

Featuring a grounded masonry base and light timber upper level, this contemporary, social home celebrates natural light, optimised outlooks, and a sense of privacy

The new home’s defining feature is its four gables, each with varying lengths and angles, adding visual interest and separating different zones.

Divided interests

Four gabled wings separate areas of use in this home, while providing shelter for an outdoor lounge – stone, metal and timber cladding connects with the rugged landscape

Portfolios

View Industry Specialists