Huia

The clients knew that they had found a beauty the moment they visited the site for the first time. So much so, that they decided to continue living in their caravan for a few more years while they saved up their money to put a small but beautiful designed house onto the site. Sarah’s vision from Day 1 was to be able to sit on the couch with a cup of tea and look out to the estuary. This is her ‘moment of joy’. The house was essentially designed around this premise, while also accommodating 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a further ‘flexi-room’ which is currently used to maintain bikes! Our design team had to work within the constraints of the site while ensuring the main living area and bedroom could profit from the view. The main living area is warm yet spacious, with its raking ceiling and timber lining. The house has large decks along the northern face, which make you feel as though you are up in a tree house. There is even space for a future outdoor bath from where the owners can relax and enjoy the private bush and sea view. The bold blue colour beautifully reflects the sea, bush and blue-sky environment, while timber balustrades and battens make the house feel more organic and sympathetic to the beautiful Huia landscape.