A small site needn’t be a barrier to big style and this beach beauty proves the point. The two-storey house sits on a section that’s just 322sqm, but has everything the owners need, plus luxury extras such as a plunge pool. It doesn’t hurt that the house, clad in vertical timber and plastered concrete panels, is just two blocks away from the white-sand beach and that the bedrooms enjoy glimpses of the region’s landmark peak, Mauao. The 208sqm design makes best use of the space available. Relaxed communal downstairs living dovetails with decking, and the plywood-lined double garage has plenty of room for storing surfboards, bikes and other toys. Polished concrete floors are practical and beachy. Upstairs are the bedrooms, with the main suite encompassing a tiled ensuite, dressing room and a private balcony. Off the hall are two more bedrooms, a bathroom and study. An important part of the brief was sustainability, as evidenced by waffle foundation, recycled plastic wall and ceiling insulation, and thermally modified cladding. Other features include solar power with battery storage, skylights for ventilation, a heat-pump hot-water cylinder and provision for an EV charger. With its big-picture design, this house on a compact site is set up for years to come.