Berowald Place House

Home of the Year – Readers' Choice Winner Berowald Place is an award-winning contemporary residence that explores the relationship between architecture, landscape and family life. Designed for a challenging, steep south-facing site, the project replaces an existing compartmentalised dwelling with a carefully composed home that responds to both its setting and the changing needs of a growing family. Positioned discreetly behind one of Auckland's busy beach suburbs, the home presents as two simple white forms cascading down the hillside to rest upon a grounded stone plinth. The arrival sequence is deliberately understated, guiding visitors along a sculpted path before revealing the heart of the home. The architecture is conceived as an exploration of light, space and movement. Carefully composed volumes, voids and material contrasts create a series of spatial experiences that evolve throughout the day, balancing solidity with openness, calm with drama, and structure with a sense of lightness. Arranged over three levels, the living spaces embrace natural light, privacy and framed views while strengthening the connection between the home and its landscape. The result is a timeless family residence where architecture enriches everyday life through thoughtful planning, precise detailing and enduring materiality.