Sometimes, a house is more than a home. It’s certainly the case with this 300sqm property that deftly mixes natural timbers with punchy colours and artistic flourishes. Some would argue it’s a work of art itself. Embraced by mature pōhutukawa trees, this three-bedroom home on a corner site raises eyebrows and generates smiles, not least because of the colourful, playful fence. There’s also the custom stainless steel slide that connects the ground floor and first floor – an element that adds design interest and whimsy. In this house you can take the stairs or, for something much more fun, the tube. The coastal property is owned by an artist and the fence has become a community project, with construction waste being recycled into artworks. Inside, the eclectic decor contrasts with the colourful cut-outs in the cedar cladding and has been described by the client as a “series of accidents”. Combinations of colours and materials somehow dovetail into something that’s both cohesive and joyful. It’s a triumph of design and construction. Challenges for the building team included positioning the house on timber piles to future-proof it from 100-year flooding.
NATIONAL AWARDS WON
Top 100
REGIONAL AWARDS WON
Regional Interior Design Award
Regional Gold