Sometimes, a simple brief is the most effective. It was certainly the case with this dark, handsome family home in one of Auckland’s beach suburbs. Must-haves from the owners, who have two children, were concise: an ever-present view, flowing open spaces and a swimming pool. Box Build swung into action and the result is a three-storey, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that is uncomplicated and extremely easy to live in. There’s a pool – as well as a spa – accessed from a decked entertaining area that spills from the open-plan living, dining and kitchen zone. On this level, the undisputed heart of the home, there’s also a powder room and a space that offers flexibility. It can be an office, spare bedroom, play room, teens’ hangout or adults-only retreat.

The entry, guest room, laundry and double garage are on the ground level, and the main-bedroom suite with its own deck, children’s rooms and a family bathroom are up top on the third storey. With three floors, a laundry chute is handy. Every centimetre of space has been maximised. You won’t find loads of corridors – just a whole lot of living in 276sqm. Features such as a bank of dark green kitchen cabinets, timber detailing and pink bathroom basins stamp the owners’ mark on the home. Vanilla this is not. The exterior is a smart combination of black Nu-Wall cladding, 80 per cent of which is made from recycled aluminium, and vertical cedar.