Wainui Road, 2018 House of the Year Silver Award:

Beautifully equipped for contemporary life, this sun-loving home north of Auckland is spacious and stylish. Stack-bonded brick and crisp white weatherboards define its strong architectural forms. The central front entrance delivers you into the heart of the home. Open-plan living brings together the sitting room, dining space and designer kitchen. The cook’s domain echoes the strong forms of the exterior in contrasting white and charcoal. Stone benchtops and clerestory windows create a feeling of light and luxury. There’s plenty of storage space in the walk-through pantry which links to the laundry. A gas fireplace provides delightful ambience. Ducted air-conditioning and high raking ceilings ensure the home keeps a cool head on hot days. A large patio awaits for entertaining into the evening and skylights peer up at the stars. The master bedroom is a delight to wake up in, with an ensuite and walk-through wardrobe. The remaining three bedrooms, a sleek bathroom, separate toilet and double garage round out this brilliant 235sqm design.