Clifftop eyrie

In many beach communities there are clear architectural strata that reflect different eras. There's the traditional 1940s bach, the '70s Fibrolite building, the rather ostentatious '90s plaster house with all the trimmings, and the minimalist glass and steel box that reflects a more contemporary lifestyle.

The owners of this clifftop house, Pakiri Point Lodge, wanted none of this, says architect Peter Chibnall of CBM Architects.

"They wanted a luxury boutique lodge that wouldn't date. They didn't want the architecture to be typical of a particular period the house needed to be just as relevant in 80-90 years' time as it is today."

With its soaring gabled roofs and solid Te Kuiti stone construction, the house references traditional New Zealand architecture and the landscape.

"We opted for stone, cedar and copper, which are all materials that can be left to weather naturally," the architect says. "In fact, all these materials look better with age."

The stone, which was also chosen for its soft, honey colouring was split with a raw edge, rather than manufactured, and laid in a random pattern of small and large stones. To enhance the natural look, the mortar is recessed 30-40mm into the stone, creating a stacked look.

"For visual continuity, we extended the stone inside, where it forms the chimney in the double-height living area and lines the passageways to the bedrooms," says Chibnall.

The expansive timber-lined eaves, which screen the house from the sun, also flow through to the interior. All the main living areas and bedrooms feature painted sarking and exposed beams that are a nod to the traditional beach house vernacular.

With full-height windows following the lines of the soaring ceilings, the natural light and views are maximised. The architect also made a feature of a cathedral window in the living room, which can be seen from the entry. Cedar mullions and transoms alternate in a Mondrian-style pattern, providing a dramatic contrast to the white walls.

Chibnall says the gabled volumes are aligned on three different axes, to provide privacy. Two of the wings are oriented to capture views of two separate islands, and a third is aligned with the stretch of beach below.

"Because each wing is angled in a different direction, you cannot see the rest of the house from the suites rather, the focus is on the view," says the architect.

Not surprisingly, the beds are positioned so guests can enjoy sea views. Each suite also has a marble-lined bathroom with a freestanding tub beneath a window. Painted timber louvre windows can be opened or closed for privacy. There are also white-painted timber louvres in front of a window in the bedroom, which reinforce the sense of escape and the traditional beach house aesthetic.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes