The Rothesay Bay House was designed for a young family of sailing enthusiasts on a rear suburban site, just up the road from Rothesay Bay Beach. The family had a big brief for the small site… capture the sea views, provide plenty of outdoor space for the kids to run around in, plus storage for a couple of sailing boats.

A key consideration of the design was to ensure that the house and driveway didn’t engulf the site, leaving minimal room for outdoor living spaces. The unique shape of the house provided the solution. The ground floor is formed from two rectangular volumes, one housing the main living areas and the other for boat storage. The living area adjoins a covered deck (a modern nod to the traditional kiwi veranda) and opens onto an ample garden. The bedrooms on the upper level bridge the two volumes, resting on the edge of the boat shed. Morning sun and views of the bay are enjoyed from the bedroom, while the space underneath provides a covered courtyard and access to the garage. A flexible mezzanine space overlooks the main living area, to cater as a second family room, office and guest room for overseas family.