NZIA Gisborne/Hawkes Bay Architecture Award and Resene Colour Award 2017

Jury citation: “Set on a site with full views down the length of the beach, this two-storey home sits proudly amongst the native trees planted 17 years ago in anticipation of its arrival. The eave-less building form is not typical of an East Coast bach but expresses the clients' inspiration for the house. The simple yet considered interior combines honest materials and exposed utilities with considered timber detailing crisp white elements. Three bedrooms on the first floor have stunning vistas through the trees to the seas beyond, and a smaller and detached garage with sleep-out above extends the usability of the site with a similar refined design approach.”

The project is made up of 2 simple buildings, a small bach and a separate garage/carport with 2 basic bedrooms above.

The buildings are constructed economically, clad in weathered cedar and fibre-cement. They sit amongst established planting on this barren and often wild coast.

The place is a retreat, humble and simple with a large variety of places to sit inside and outside at different times of the day and night. An outdoor room faces east with views through trees to the sea and a pergola covered terrace sits to the west soon to be covered in Bougainvillea. There is a sunny north facing deck, Juliette balconies and a deck on top of the outdoor room off the bedrooms to survey the coastline.

Photographer Paul McCredie