Anawhata House

Designing his own family home gave architect Paul Davidson the freedom to explore ideas more experimentally than he might with a client project. Built over five years, the house sits lightly within five acres of regenerating native forest in Anawhata on Auckland’s west coast - land that had reverted to bush after being cleared for farming prior to WWII and is now protected as a significant ecological area. With no existing clearings and tight planning constraints, the design responds carefully to its setting. The intention was to create a home that feels immersed in nature - evoking the awe of hiking or camping and capturing uninterrupted forest outlooks from every space. Expansive windows frame the surrounding trees, with Metro's Xtreme double glazing specified to provide solar control and year round thermal comfort, while letting in all the beautiful natural light. At night, a considered lighting scheme illuminates the forest beyond, transforming the large living room window into a layered, green backdrop rather than a dark reflective surface. Much of the home, including cabinetry and furniture was built by Paul himself. Operating off grid, the house relies on passive cooling, a Pyro Mini wood burner, rainwater collection and on site wastewater treatment, reinforcing its connection to place and self sufficiency.