Hidden away on a hillside down a steep driveway is this sunny three-bedroom home. It’s stunning, but it also presented its fair share of challenges for the building team. 

Not only was the site tricky to access, but the slope and council pipes beneath presented engineering hurdles. The solution included building on poles with extensive retaining walls – and the result is a house that’s both attractive and inviting. 

With a compact floor plan of 136sqm, this modern home has been carefully designed over two levels and includes a large main bedroom suite with walk-in wardrobe, ensuite and a large family bathroom. A bold black exterior is teamed with attractive landscaping that wraps around the home, making clever use of the site’s natural contours and capturing views encompassing the estuary and Mount Maunganui. 

The living areas open out to an expansive deck running the full length of the home – perfect for alfresco meals as the sun goes down. At the heart of the home, the kitchen has been given a touch of industrial charm with a brick-look tiled wall, floating timber shelves and black features such as the pendant light fittings and range hood.

Photo Credit: House of the Year 2022 photographer