Thanks to clever use of trusses, three of the bedrooms in this four-bedroom Whitianga beach house are located in the roof space. Now that’s what you call using your head. A spacious open-plan kitchen/dining/living area accommodates everyday play and relaxation on the ground floor. It’s beautifully equipped for serving the masses. Large glazed sliding doors ensure the home remains connected to the outdoors. North and westfacing decks provide options for alfresco entertaining. An outdoor shower and clawfoot bath set under the veranda deliver the ultimate in open-air indulgence. Sunlight spills onto polished concrete which harnesses the heat to release it in the evening. A wood burner turns up the cosiness for super-snug winter stays. A games room provides endless fun, while bunks bed-down the inevitable overflow of guests. Fully insulated and clad with cedar, this low-key yet luxurious home is in tune not only with the environment, but with the needs of owners and guests.