OCEAN VIEW HOUSE
A project deeply rooted in its surroundings, Ocean View House was born from the client’s core vision: a home not sitting on the landscape, but becoming part of it.
With 1.3 ha overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean, the pine forests of Te Arai Links, and the serene Tomarata Lakes, the site offered an extraordinary canvas. The design team approached the project with a clear goal – to honour those sweeping views and allow the home to blend seamlessly into the natural contours and character of the land.
From the outset, the clients envisioned a warm, modern home that made the most of every angle of the landscape. Their inspiration was simple yet powerful: embrace as much of the view as possible. This vision guided each design decision, from the orientation of the building to the placement of windows, materials, and outdoor living spaces. The design process became a careful balance of form, function, and context, ensuring the home functioned as an extension of the environment rather than an interruption to it.
Architecturally, Ocean View House embraces a restrained palette that reflects the tones and textures of its surroundings. Natural timber cladding was selected not only for its durability in coastal conditions but also for its ability to soften the contemporary structure and anchor it visually to the land. Expansive glazing spans the length of the home, framing uninterrupted vistas across ocean, forest, and lake. Large sliding doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, emphasising the home’s connection to its unique natural setting.
Inside, the material selection continues this dialogue with nature. Timber, stone, and muted finishes create a calm and timeless atmosphere, mirroring the coastal hues visible from every room. Key living spaces were positioned to follow the sun’s path throughout the day, drawing warm morning light into the kitchen and living spaces and soft evening light across the bedrooms and lounges.
Building on such a remarkable and vast site brought both challenges and opportunities. The sloping terrain required thoughtful planning during construction, particularly when transporting large structural elements. Coastal weather patterns meant the team needed to work strategically around wind and rain, often timing critical installations within tight windows. Yet each challenge led to a highlight – none more memorable than the moment the upper glazing was installed, revealing the full sweep of the panoramic landscape exactly as the clients had envisioned. It was a moment that validated the meticulous effort poured into the design and build process.
Ocean View House stands today as a testament to what can be achieved when architecture responds wholeheartedly to the land. It is not a home imposed upon a site; it is a home woven into the fabric of its surroundings. The finished product is a peaceful, grounded sanctuary that captures the soul of its environment and delivers on the clients’ greatest inspiration: to embrace and celebrate every inch of the extraordinary view.
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