Coromandel House

This new beachfront home was completed in December 2003. The clients’ brief was for a holiday home that they will ultimately retire to. Sea views to the North and hill views to the south-west were a prime consideration. The `h’ shape of the ground floor plan is designed to create courtyards on each side of the central hall and gallery, with a long return verandah on the sea and North face. The long low pitch of the roof recalls the New Zealand woolshed and the whare nui, and stylistically is influenced by the Cape Cod style of North American beach houses, and aspects of the New Zealand version of the Californian bungalow. The upstairs wing incorporates bedrooms and a deck, with smaller decks off the two dormers to the bedrooms.
The exterior is clad in painted Cedar weatherboards, with Hinuera stone to the entry and also the interior fireplace. The kitchen and bathroom designs and other interior finishes were part of the architectural design, and the project was observed on site by the architect.