In keeping with the requirement for a contemporary architectural form, the main living pavilion opens up on four sides to a large terrace that wraps around the building. Large eaves provide shelter from the summer sun. And the owners can open the large sliders to suit prevailing weather conditions.
The two bedroom wings semi-enclose a sheltered pool courtyard and outdoor living area. Freestanding concrete block walls at the opposite end of the pool are positioned to frame the best view of a picturesque group of small islands.
"Sometimes, leading the eye to a key aspect of the view is more dramatic than simply exposing a never-ending vista," says MacCulloch.
The exterior is also defined by the cladding, which features Aluart anodized aluminum panels. Many of these are designed as permanent artworks. Connecting panels between the bedroom wings and main pavilion, for example, feature a textural fiber pattern, while the anodized panels on the bedroom wings are decorated with a bubble pattern that conveys a sense of movement.
The interior, by Stewart Harris of Martin Hughes Architecture Interiors, was designed to complement rather than detract from the view.
"A simplified palette of colors and materials was the best way to allow the view to dominate it also lets the architecture shine," says Harris. "We opted for natural colors, which have a subtle New Zealand flavor, but the interior also reflects international design influences."