Oaia Road

New build in Muriwai

The Westhead House is an enchanting home set amongst the native bush on a vantage point overlooking Maori Bay. The house has become an oasis to which the owners return, to escape from the pressures of everyday living, commuting, and working in Auckland’s busy suburbs. The house is placed back from the cliff edge and captures the dramatically ever-changing one hundred and eighty-degree views of the Tasman Sea.

The site is very exposed and its stained cedar cladding blends in with surrounding windblown Manuka trees and weathered cliffs. The living areas present a glass face to the ocean, opening out to the sheltered entertaining area. The roof continues seamlessly over the warm Australian blackbutt decking. The two side walls have been glazed floor to ceiling with 17mm glass panels to withstand the fierce southerly storms. Bedrooms are set away from the seaward face on opposite sides of the house.

The house design maximises the sea views from every room. The stack bonded masonry block base has been polished and sealed giving a natural finish. The colour steel roof is power coated Dove Grey. The colour scheme has been chosen to represent the colours of Muriwai, representing the sand, surf, and sky.

Architect: Alan Shanahan

Completion Date: July 2018