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Pomare Bay House

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The house is located on a very steep waterfront site in the Bay of Islands area, and has beautiful sea views to the north. Read more
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Pomare Bay House features a striking central spine staircase, intimate exterior spaces, and breathtaking sea views, with cantilevered balconies and sheltered courtyards, all crafted from raw zinc, natural timber, and rendered masonry.

The house is located on a very steep waterfront site in the Bay of Islands area, and has beautiful sea views to the north.

The design concept is a dramatic central spine staircase leading down from the entry driveway level down to the lower living levels. Rooms branch off each side of the spine, creating a series of intimate exterior spaces and captured views from each part of the building.

At the living room level, the main open space connects to dramatic cantileved balconies suspended over the beach below, and also to a pair of sheltered courtyard spaces which in turn lead to almost subterranean rooms set into the hill.

The building materials palette comprises raw pure zinc, natural timber and rendered masonry.

Photography by: Patrick Reynolds

0h 3m

Professional Reviews

1 / 5

“We have been clients of Julian Guthrie for approximately 20 years, within which period of time he has designed both renovations and new homes for us. The briefs have all been very different (including a new home, new beach house, and major renovation). Without exception, the results have all exceeded our expectations. Throughout the foregoing projects, Julian has also played an integral role in the management of planning requirements, and in the case of our home in Herne Bay, that process involved the complexity of obtaining consents to incorporate a character villa with additions that complemented the original home. His advice through that process, in addition to the design undertaken by him, was invaluable. In terms of that design work, we have no reservation in recommending Julian. He is an excellent communicator, and very skilled at translating a brief from a husband and wife (who do no always agree) into an outcome with which we have both been very happy. Our homes are personal to us, but undoubtedly a testament to Julian’s skills. Julian was also retained by my law firm to re-design and refit our offices. The offices are located in a challenging heritage building in the central business district. He had to take on board a number of individuals’ and personalities’ requirements in the brief. The end product, achieved in a very short duration, on budget, is outstanding. His relationship with the contractors on site was very good, all issues being resolved between them, with little input from us as clients in that process. That was of enormous value to us as busy professionals. We therefore have no hesitation in recommending Julian Guthrie and his team.”

Stephen Langton

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