The owners of this Dunedin home had been living in a house on the lower part of their elevated peninsula section, so knew exactly what they wanted. Their new home, in vertical macrocarpa shiplap and azure-coloured weatherboards to reflect its coastal position, had to settle into the south-west corner of the site. From here they could enjoy views of the garden from every room of the house and every part of the deck. And what a garden it is: think meandering gravel paths, native plants, flowers and drystone volcanic rock walls. So important was this wonderland, that the house layout was determined by the location of trees, and a deck outside one bedroom was built around a native lancewood. The 141sqm wedge-shape monopitch-roof design also enjoys carefully planned views over the trees to the blue of the Otago harbour. The three-bedroom house offers further clues about the clients’ appreciation of nature and natural materials. Features such as cut-outs, like the one at the entry, and stepped windows put the spotlight on the great outdoors. Inside more of the vivid blue is contrasted with timber — in the floorboards, architraves, joinery, skirting, doors, trims and furniture. It’s a natural-born winner.