hawke’s bay house

PROJECT DETAILS:

IN THE BEAUTIFUL HAWKE’S BAY YOU FILL FIND OUR HILLTOP HOUSE PROJECT, LOCATED ON THE ROLLING HILLS ABOVE THE ALLUVIAL HERETAUNGA PLAINS.

Grounded on an in-situ concrete podium, the timber-clad living spaces are elevated to capture panoramic views—eastward to the Hawke’s Bay coast and westward to the Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges. The main living and bedroom spaces sit above the landscape, orientated to embrace light, outlook and connection to the land. Buildings are arranged around a sheltered pool courtyard, creating a calm outdoor retreat that balances openness with protection from prevailing winds. Expansive glazing frames every view, ensuring the surrounding landscape is always present. A palette of natural materials and neutral tones creates interiors that feel both refined and timeless, while floor-to-ceiling travertine in the bathrooms offers tranquil spaces for rest and renewal.

A separate guest unit extends the home’s versatility, with its own lounge, kitchen and scullery, laundry and bedroom. The main residence includes three garage spaces, a generous entertainment zone with wine cellar and two additional bedrooms with ensuites. Above, open-plan living and dining areas connect seamlessly to a deck overlooking the reserve, city and distant ocean. The upper level also accommodates the master suite with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, a private office and a large laundry. Sheltered courtyards and extensive landscaping integrate the home into its setting.

This project was shortlisted for the Gisborne & Hawke’s Bay Architecture Awards 2025, recognising its balance of contemporary living and connection to place.

Photographer: Lauma Vosa

Modern black and gray house on a hill with a scenic landscape and sunset sky in the background.
Modern black residential buildings with large glass windows, a driveway with a horse walking on it, and a backdrop of green fields and water under a partly cloudy sky.
A modern two-story house with wooden and stone exterior in a hilly rural area at sunset, with a garden in the foreground and hills in the background, promoting the Gisborne & Hawke's Bay Architecture Awards 2025.
A modern black multi-story house on a hill with landscaped gardens, overlooking a cityscape with water in the distance under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Modern house with a spacious balcony overlooking a scenic landscape of rolling hills and a small town at sunset.
Modern living room with a telescope pointed toward a large glass window, a black coffee table with magazines, a TV mounted on the wall, and decorative objects on a black shelving unit, with natural light and a city view outside.
A beagle dog with a black, white, and brown coat sits on a beige sofa in a modern living room, surrounded by potted plants, including white orchids and a leafy plant. There is a large black television mounted on a gray marble fireplace with decorative items on the mantle.
Modern kitchen with dark sleek cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a marble countertop island. A colorful abstract painting is on the white wall, and a large window shows a landscape outside.
Modern balcony with a view of rolling green hills and a clear blue sky, featuring a potted plant on the ledge and dark wood walls and ceiling.
Modern house with black and white exterior, concrete walkway, desert plants, and background hills under partly cloudy sky.
A woman with a blurred face ascending a staircase next to a large window showing a cityscape and sky.
Modern living and dining area with large floor-to-ceiling windows showing a cityscape and partly cloudy sky, decorated with plants, candles, and elegant furniture.

STUNNING ARCHITECTURE FRAMES VIEWS OF ROLLING HILLS AND ENDLESS OCEAN

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