Into the blue

This home, by Box, appears small and bijou from the street but beyond the front door opens up to spectacular views of aqua sea and cliffs

Quiet from the street, but crossing the entry

Living space with walls of windows – optimising

Dramatic black cladding with expansive glazing reflecting the

Kitchen, dining and outdoor dining – clean lines

Kitchen with black cabinetry and island with mesh-fronted

Master suite, walk-in robe with built in timber

Master bedroom with master ensuite to the rear.

Outdoor living space complete with al fresco wall

Designed by Box – the Architect Builder

When the owners bought this Onetangi section eight years ago, it already had a cleared building platform.

They had imagined a long, narrow house strung along the ridge, but Box design manager Tony Borland-Lye soon steered them in another direction – the steep site called for a different approach.

This is a home that doesn’t rush the punchline.

From the street, it presents as single level, small and bijou.

It’s only when you walk across the entry bridge and a rectangle of aqua sea and cliffs is framed beyond the front door that the realisation starts to build that this will be something special.

The owners wanted an open-plan living area and master suite on the upper floor to fully enjoy the views and feel at one with the environment.

They also wanted a design where they could lock the bottom storey and be closed off from it, so their zone feels like an apartment.

Owner: “When I tuck myself in there, if I park in the garage no one knows I’m there; I’m very social but I love that I can slip in unnoticed.”

Experience had taught the homeowners that they wanted lots of transparency, countered by good ventilation.

The owners wanted every room to have a spectacular outlook.

Banks of louvres and lazy ceiling fans ensure they keep their cool – including on the north-east covered deck where there’s a cook’s fireplace and a backdrop.

The couple enjoy entertaining, and the scullery keeps the culinary zone clear and streamlined.

The owners were very involved with the designing of the interiors.

They would chat about an idea and Box design lead Tim Hogarth would go away and produce some fancy drawings so that they could visualise it.

Deep-blue cabinetry was selected to evoke a coastal feel – this is complemented by antique brass fittings, an island front in woven criss-cross metal and a Florim stone benchtop.

Banks of louvres and lazy ceiling fans ensure they keep their cool – including on the north-east covered deck where there’s a cook’s fireplace and a backdrop.

The couple enjoy entertaining, and the scullery keeps the culinary zone clear and streamlined.

The owners were very involved with the designing of the interiors.

They would chat about an idea and Box design lead Tim Hogarth would go away and produce some fancy drawings so that they could visualise it.

Deep-blue cabinetry was selected to evoke a coastal feel – this is complemented by antique brass fittings, an island front in woven criss-cross metal and a Florim stone benchtop.