Please do not disturb

The central principle behind the design of this infill house was to provide a high level of privacy from the surrounding homes, while minimising the impact on the bush-clad site

View of the bathroom bleached oak vanity with architecture, bathroom, ceiling, daylighting, interior design, product design, room, sink, brown, gray — View of the bathroom bleached oak vanity with two freestanding Corian basins with tapware which extends out of the mirror.

Exterior view of the front entrance which features architecture, backyard, cottage, estate, facade, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, roof, villa, window

Exterior view of the front entrance which features architecture, daylighting, door, estate, facade, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, roof, siding, window, gray, brown

Exterior view of the front entrance which features architecture, daylighting, estate, facade, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, roof, gray

View of the bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and architecture, ceiling, floor, interior design, real estate, room, suite, wall, window, wood, gray

This downstairs area is a self-contained master suite architecture, bathroom, estate, interior design, property, real estate, room, gray, brown

This downstairs area is a self-contained master suite curtain, door, interior design, real estate, room, wall, window, window blind, window covering, window treatment, wood, gray

Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the outdoors front and centre architecture, ceiling, daylighting, floor, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, wall, gray

View of the living area where furnishings were apartment, architecture, estate, home, house, interior design, living room, penthouse apartment, property, real estate, window, gray

View of the kitchen area which features a home, interior design, real estate, room, table, gray

View of the kitchen with a long island architecture, bathroom, ceiling, daylighting, home, house, interior design, real estate, room, gray

View of a living area which features a interior design, living room, gray

A number of reasons lie behind the end of the traditional suburban dream of a quarter-acre section, but the fact remains we're having to live on smaller and smaller plots of land.

One of the biggest challenges this presents to architectural designers is how to build a comfortable family home on a tight, and in many cases, undulating site.

"When you're dealing with a site that has a number of constraints, not least of which is access, the best solution is usually to let the site dictate the design, instead of trying to impose a set design onto the site," says Brent Barrett of Unik Limited, the designer and builder of this property.

Barrett says within thirty minutes of viewing the site he envisioned the design of the house, one in keeping with the topography.

Exterior view of the master bedroom which includes door, interior design, sliding door, window, gray — Exterior view of the master bedroom which includes a sliding door, decking, recessed lighting inside and outside, bedroom furnishings and linen, carpeted flooring and ensuite.

"Although we're close to the sea, I didn't want to build up to capture the view. It was important to me to build a home that nestled into the site, retaining a high level of privacy.

"I wanted the house to take full advantage of the bush that covers the site. Good indoor-outdoor flow was another priority, as was bringing the garden indoors through large plantings. Indoor garden atmosphere is one of the most underrated aspects of architectural design in New Zealand," he says.

With an idea for contemporary open-plan living within a sleek, refined space, Barrett chose to build in solid masonry, while a steel roof gave him the required strength to achieve a single ceiling plane.

"The premise for the design of this house was to allow the natural environment to be fully integrated into the indoor spaces. A high stud and pitched roofline with expanses of glass provide a minimal barrier to the sky, allowing both vertical and horizontal views to the outdoors.

Barrett says a great deal of thought was given to ensuring the functionality of the home especially as it is only 260m². That meant combining modern design with a family feel, to ensure all of the areas are usable, and that there is no wasted space.

The spaces can also be easily reconfigured to suit the changing needs of the family unit. The downstairs area can be used as a self-contained master suite, a children's bedroom and play area, or even a teenager's retreat complete with its own separate entrance.

The minimal use of colour and adornment also serves to highlight the pared-back interior architectural style that Barrett chose for the house. All of the lighting, for example with the exception of the kitchen pendants is recessed, in keeping with the desire for an unbroken ceiling plane.

"All of the built-in cabinetry has been designed to conceal electrical wiring, while light switches and power outlets have been kept to a strict grid pattern to minimise their visual impact," says Barrett. "Everything is designed to magnify the sense of open space."

Credit list

Kitchen manufacturer

Living room furniture

Ruth Rocker by David Trubridge; Vernon Armless chair; Cayo sofa; Bedwyr Davies Loop coffee table; Marine Bean bean bag by Coast New Zealand from Eon Design Centre