INSIDE TO OUTSIDE FLOW
Seaside Retreat
This fantastic Landmark homes testimonial from Gisborne will inspire you to begin designing your own Landmark home!
Imagine waking up to sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, enjoying your morning coffee as you gaze out across the Mahia Peninsula; the swell gently caressing the white sandy beach below.
Perched atop a remote peninsula, with a view unaffected by neighboring homes or suburban street lights, stands a home that seamlessly blends into a setting as unique as the home itself.
Designed by Gisborne’s Shane Kingsbeer and brought to life by Landmark Homes Gisborne & East Coast, this private home offers relaxed living that’s in perfect harmony with its environment.
“The design intent was to develop a practical beach home from the inside out. Having a new home that worked aesthetically with the environment was hugely important for our client,” reflects Sam Bain from Landmark Homes Gisborne & East Coast.
Shane adds, “The client didn’t want it to be ostentatious, a big house on the hill. It needed to connect to the views, the natural setting.”
As such, natural materials feature heavily in this home. Vertical cedar cladding in complementary colours of rich mahogany and delicate champagne enable the building to blend in with its surrounds.
Tongue-and-groove flooring in a light blonde tone captures the sun’s rays and envelops the space in a warm, golden glow. From the main entranceway to the kitchen and living area, there’s a relaxing and inviting vibe.
Considered impact
While the home boasts a near 300m2 footprint, there was a focus on minimising its impact to the environment, with the addition of solar power to allow the home and its kitchenware to be run off the grid.
One of the home’s most striking features is the massive floor to ceiling glass slider that stacks into an exterior cavity, with a level entry, in the main living area.
With no corner post – a clever feat of design and engineering– the space can be completely opened to deliver an unobstructed view of the ocean. This creates a wonderful flow from the open-plan kitchen onto a wraparound deck outside and beyond.
The bedrooms and bathrooms benefit from the wraparound deck also, with access to the outside space just a step away through large glass sliding doors.
In the master bathroom suite, a luxurious freestanding bath has been positioned in front of bi-fold stacking doors to soak up the sun by day or take in the stars at night, completely unaffected by any light pollution.
Overcoming the elements
While the remote location presented numerous opportunities to harness the sea views, the impact of the natural elements heavily influenced the design considerations.
“Because the wind often blows in all directions at the top of the hill, the house needed to be designed so that no matter the weather there was always a place in the home where the client could enjoy those views,” explains Shane.
Landmark Homes and Kingsbeer Architecture worked closely to ensure the design translated from paper to final construction as intended, and how to overcome many challenges – all while considering how to achieve a striking design.
“For example, opening up the corners of the home with the exterior cavities, and without needing supporting posts, meant the client can be sheltered inside the home, but still get the experience of sitting outside on those inclement days.”
Sam adds, “This home was fantastic to work on and the finished product exceeded our client’s expectations, which is always our desire.”
Award Winning
Although it sits unobtrusively in its location, this home had a huge impact on the judges of the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards. This prestigious competition celebrates the best homes in New Zealand, and the builders behind them, for their exceptional craftsmanship.
Sam and his team were awarded the local category win, as well as the overall Local Supreme, Gold Reserve and Gold awards, before going on to win the New Home $500,000-700,000 category at the national awards.
“This home was fantastic to work on and the finished product exceeded our client’s expectations, which is always our desire.”
The team who made this dream come true
Gisborne
