Tropical lifestyle

Casting aside the trappings of city life is a big part of the appeal of a beach house, but this doesn't mean you have to forgo comfort and modern convenience. In fact, it's the very time you want a little pampering, which is why resort holidays are so popular.

This beach house was designed with this in mind. The house, at Coast Papamoa Beach, showcases the California single-storey design by local architect Jorgen Frandsen of Ambienti Team Architects.

"High-end show villages of this nature are a relatively recent concept for New Zealand, but are very common in Europe," Frandsen says. "For this property Frasers, the developer, wanted an inspiring design for beachside living; a design influenced by tropical architecture and feng shui principles."

Frandsen says natural materials and water features were consequently key elements. The entry, for example, is via a stepping stone across a pond that wraps around the side of the house and butts up against a lap pool with an infinity edge. With a hardwood deck cantilevered over the water like a raft, the house appears to float over the pool. A large, dark-stained timber pergola and palms in the landscape reinforce the tropical aesthetic.

Timber also features on the interior, with plywood ceiling panels adding visual warmth to the open-plan living area.

The interior is defined by streamlined, contemporary styling. Negative detailing emphasises the plywood panels on the ceiling and the different planes throughout the house.

"There isn't an architrave in sight," says the architect. "The clean-lined design enhances the spacious look, which is another departure from the typical New Zealand holiday home. The two living spaces and the bedrooms are all generously sized. This was a priority for the developer. Similarly, the focus on a high-quality finish meant there were no compromises."

Full-height glazing maximises the natural light and view, with sliders providing an easy indoor-outdoor flow from both the living areas and bedrooms.

"Beach sites, such as this, are often small, so privacy can be an issue for outdoor seating areas," says Frandsen. "The wind can also be a problem for coastal properties. For this reason there are walled seating areas on both sides of the house these also create a second axis through the house, which maximises the site."

The attention to detail that characterises the house extends to the kitchen and bathroom, which both feature high-end fixtures and fittings. Frandsen says the bathrooms, which include a marble tub surround in the master ensuite, are of a similar high standard to the suites in all Frasers properties worldwide. The kitchen incorporates a walk-in pantry.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes