From their elevated site behind Te Mata Peak, the Sims had a clear vision: a home that welcomed the sun, framed the view, and brought a quiet sense of calm to daily life. With the support of Landmark Homes Hawke’s Bay, that vision took shape in a design where the architecture and landscape work hand in hand.

The result is a carefully considered Design and Build home that feels both grounded and elevated. Each space flows with purpose, and every window draws the outside in. Recognised as a Regional Category Winner at the 2025 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards, this home is a confident blend of luxury, simplicity, and connection to place.

The Sims knew their section was special. Set near the base of Te Mata Peak and backing onto the Tuki Tuki River, it offered elevation, privacy and extraordinary outlooks. But the existing home on the site faced the wrong way. Living areas turned their back on the sun, and the peak, the property’s greatest natural asset, could only be glimpsed from the back garden.

Rather than rework a home that was never quite right, Craig and Jackie decided to start fresh. They worked with the Landmark Homes Hawke’s Bay team to remove the original structure and begin a new Design and Build journey focused on light, layout, and liveability.

“The brief was simple but powerful,” says Landmark Homes Hawke’s Bay franchise owner, Steven Painter. “They wanted to walk through the front door and be looking directly at the highest point of Te Mata Peak.”

The site, while stunning, brought its share of complexity. The original house sat on a natural rise, which required reshaping to suit the new design. Significant excavation and retaining work followed. “It’s basically a knob of a hill,” Steven explains. “We had to cut it down, level it, and retain the edges to make it work.”

A swimming pool already on site added another layer of design challenge. The initial plan was to work around it, but partway through construction the couple made the call to remove it altogether and reposition a new pool on the sunniest side of the home. “That decision actually simplified things,” says Steven. “It allowed the outdoor living and pool areas to be exactly where they should be, facing north and connecting directly to the main living space.”

Once the site was reworked and the outlook confirmed, the rest of the design fell into place. This was a home shaped by the land around it – the light, the wind, the peak – and everything in the layout was designed to respond to those elements.

From the open-plan kitchen and living areas to the bedrooms, the view to Te Mata Peak takes centre stage. Large sliders on three sides allow natural light to flood in and create seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

The home follows a modern H-shaped footprint, with deliberate separation between zones. The main suite sits in its own private wing, complete with a walk-in wardrobe, ensuite, and library, while a dedicated guest wing on the opposite side provides space for visiting family. This zoning creates a sense of retreat without disconnecting from the social spaces at the centre.

Architecturally, the home strikes a balance between grounded simplicity and quiet elegance. Textured Hinuera stone wraps the exterior and reappears in feature walls inside. Steep gable rooflines give the home a crisp, modern edge, while raking and vaulted ceilings throughout lift the eye and open up key spaces. A 3.0-metre stud in the main living area adds to the home’s light-filled feel and sense of scale.

Material choices are refined and timeless, chosen to anchor the home in its rural surroundings without competing with the landscape. The result is a design that not only meets the brief, but enhances it, comfortable, considered and completely in tune with its environment.

Inside, the home continues to reflect Craig and Jackie’s vision. It is refined, welcoming and full of character. Working with Landmark’s interior colour consultant, they developed a palette that feels both modern and timeless. Soft neutrals form the foundation, with bold accents of rust, olive, charcoal and brass bringing warmth and depth. The result is a home that feels relaxed and lived-in, while still delivering strong visual impact.

In the kitchen, standout features include gold mesh cabinet fronts, dark-toned joinery and a sculptural pendant above the island. Stone splashbacks wrap around the scullery, reinforcing the home’s natural material theme. 

Just off the kitchen, a temperature-controlled wine cellar reflects Craig’s background in the wine industry. It is both functional and beautifully crafted, and one of the home’s most distinctive elements.

Each room has its own mood, shaped by a thoughtful mix of colour and texture. The powder room features botanical wallpaper, moody tones and hand-blown glass lighting, creating a space that feels bold and expressive. The library offers a quieter contrast, with soft grey-green walls and custom shelving that bring character to the layout.

In the master suite, vaulted ceilings lift the space while a custom-designed wallpaper, inspired by Te Mata Peak, adds a personal connection to the outdoors. It is a room that captures the overall mood of the home.