Te Horo Wetland

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Modern house exterior with large glass windows and sliding doors, showing the interior staircase and decorated walls, surrounded by lush garden plants at dusk.
Modern houses with large glass windows and wooden exteriors, surrounded by lush desert landscaping with various green plants and grasses, under a partly cloudy sky.
Modern house with blackwood siding, large glass windows, a wooden pathway with lights, and landscaped garden with various plants at dusk.
Modern interior living space with large glass windows showing a view of greenery outside, light-colored tiled floor, and a cozy sitting area with chairs and a wall art
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This home was designed to fit seamlessly into a tightly constrained site, defined by an existing building platform, mature vegetation, and extensive established decking. Nestled within the natural dunal forms of the wider Kāpiti Coast landscape, the house integrates effortlessly with its surroundings.

The design connects fluidly to existing outdoor living areas and includes the conversion and renovation of a former garage/sleep-out into a separate guest house. Organised into two distinct wings — one for living and one for sleeping — the home is anchored by a transparent entry link that serves as both threshold and connecting element.

Entry is via a raised boardwalk, offering framed views through to the wetlands and coastline beyond. The glazed link bridges over wetland planting, reinforcing the connection to the natural landscape. Spatially, the home allows for open, breezy summer living, while a more intimate lounge provides a cosy winter retreat when the climate shifts.

The interior aesthetic and detailing respond directly to the clients’ brief for light, pared-back, enduring spaces and robust materials to withstand life with two dogs and a cat. The surrounding landscape informed the colour palette — sandy hues, soft neutrals, and natural stone are punctuated with ocean blues, warm timbers, and a blend of honed and flamed basalt.

A key consideration in selecting interior finishes was the influence of the Panasap green-tinted glazing on the quality of light and, in turn, how materials and colours would appear throughout the day. The interior detailing is unpretentious yet refined, aiming to create a quiet and lasting sense of spatial quality.

Sustainable materials were carefully selected, and the design incorporates passive solar orientation, natural ventilation, offset framing to reduce thermal bridging, and high-performance insulation. Accessibility is a key feature, with all areas designed for universal access and a discreet lift servicing the upper floor.

Awards:

Winner ~ 2013 Resene ADNZ/Resene Regional Architectural Design Award for New Homes over 300sqm

National Finalist ~ 2013 Resene ADNZ/Resene National Architectural Design Award for New Homes over 300sqm