Near Matakana, north of Tāmaki Makaurau, this country house with an extensive estuary outlook sits among rural grasslands, bounded by farmland and surrounded by native bush.

The project brief was to create a generously proportioned family home, utilising sophisticated building techniques to enhance the unique natural characteristics of the site. The overlapping roof forms and staggered plan follows the site’s natural contours and echo the structure of windblown manuka which abounds in the area.

The house fans out in two separate directions, framing views to the wetlands and across the open grasslands. The floating roof forms mimic the stepped surrounding hillsides and large cantilevered overhangs continue the layered theme, contributing to the light uncomplicated form of this residence.