MAHUIKA BEACH HOUSE

On Auckland's Waiheke Island, a series of pavilions designed by DMA have been organised in ways that capture light, nature and sea views.

A VIEW ON NATURE

Built in an isolated bay on Waiheke, an island in the Auckland gulf, this luxury family vacation house was designed to maximise the residents' exposure to the ever-shifting natural landscape while also fulfilling their requirements for a low-maintenance, self-sustaining home.

Project Type: Island Vacation Home

Location: Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

Architect: Daniel Marshall Architects

Photographer: Sam Hartnett

LET THERE BE LIGHT

The architects' strategy for engaging with the landscape was to design a house with almost no walls. Instead, there is floor-to-ceiling glass, creating a theatre of the environment for the occupants. At night, the four levels of the house are visible from the water, appearing as a staggered series of jewels cascading down the hillside.

Exterior view of Mahuika beach house looking across the pool to the sea view.

CONTRAST AND REFLECT

Here, the kitchen takes a back seat to the view. While the dishwashing and food care solutions are seamlessly integrated into the pure-white kitchen and scullery cabinets, the Minimal Style black ovens – installed in an elevated linear format, for easy access – and full-surface induction cooktop provide a visual counterpoint that picks up subtle reflections of surrounding landscape and sky.