Wawata House by Julian Guthrie Architecture

Wawata House

616.4K profile views
472 saves

Wawata House is a new coastal home designed for my own family, located on Waiheke. The house straddles a steep narrow site, providing panoramic coastal views to the northwest, and rural and bush views to either side. A public walkway extends down the eastern boundary, with associated privacy effects. The house is narrow in depth, spread wide across the hillside, cutting deep on the uphill side and lifting just above the ground on the lower side. This takes form as a long concrete wall, both structurally and metaphorically a buttress to the hill, from which a delicate glass pavilion is suspended facing the sea. Entry and sleeping zones are positioned above, with the operable glass walls screened by a sliding veil of timber shutters, providing infinitely variable light, breeze and privacy. The shutters form an exacting grid to the home, and a playful element of movement and transparency. A suspended stair leads down to an open living terrace, stone floors extending out into intimate courtyard spaces. Utilities are seamlessly integrated with almost nautical efficiency. A variety of materials feature, with insitu concrete, dark-oiled timber, stone and limewashed wood appearing throughout. A sense of calm, tactile comfort and immersion in nature prevails.

Wawata House is a new coastal home designed for my own family, located on Waiheke. Read more

Visit Website

Tags

coastal beach house new home contemporary waiheke

Project team

Product Suppliers

Wawata House is a new coastal home designed for my own family, located on Waiheke.

The house straddles a steep narrow site, providing panoramic coastal views to the northwest, and rural and bush views to either side. A public walkway extends down the eastern boundary, with associated privacy effects.

The house is narrow in depth, spread wide across the hillside, cutting deep on the uphill side and lifting just above the ground on the lower side. This takes form as a long concrete wall, both structurally and metaphorically a buttress to the hill, from which a delicate glass pavilion is suspended facing the sea.

Entry and sleeping zones are positioned above, with the operable glass walls screened by a sliding veil of timber shutters, providing infinitely variable light, breeze and privacy. The shutters form an exacting grid to the home, and a playful element of movement and transparency.

A suspended stair leads down to an open living terrace, stone floors extending out into intimate courtyard spaces. Utilities are seamlessly integrated with almost nautical efficiency.

A variety of materials feature, with insitu concrete, dark-oiled timber, stone and limewashed wood appearing throughout. A sense of calm, tactile comfort and immersion in nature prevails.

Completed: 2025
Price range: $3m - $5m
Building style: Contemporary
Client: Self

5.4K10h 20m

Awards

2026

Auckland Architecture Award Winner Coastal Home of the Year

NZIA

2026

AwardAuckland Architecture Award Winner Coastal Home of the Year

OrganisationNZIA

Like this Project?
Hire Julian Guthrie Architecture

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