Located on a north-facing coastal site at Stanmore Bay, this home began as the owners’ first house after university. The brief for its evolution was simple but sensitive: create space for family life while preserving privacy, protecting mature pōhutukawa trees, and strengthening the home’s connection to the water. Arrival is over the lawn beneath the pōhutukawa, a gesture that draws the family inwards and toward the beach beyond.

The extension builds on the home’s coastal character with a Palm Springs–inspired landscape and a new outdoor room functions as a secondary living space. With a fire, dining area, and lounge, it allows the family to enjoy the climate while remaining sheltered and intimate. Materiality plays a central role. A sculptural curved stone wall wraps the stair, grounding the home with weight and texture. This stone extends outside, anchoring the entry and creating continuity throughout. The kitchen is a focal point: a statement island and matching splashback carved from veined stone, paired with warm timber cabinetry and refined linear lighting. The stone continues into the floor-to-ceiling fireplace, visually linking kitchen and living spaces.

The result is a calm, contemporary coastal home that respects its history and elevates its relationship to the landscape.