A small (87m2) bach for a family of four. A retreat, located an hours drive north of Wellington on wild and beautiful dune-lands in a newly developed coastal subdivision with large section sizes.

It is a small economically planned fibro and batten clad building that has its design roots partly in the NZ bach tradition, with an explorative use of form, colour and material. As part of the subdivision rules there was a limited colour palette available. We went beyond this with additional colours added to the sides of the exterior battens, that aren’t apparent when the façade is viewed straight on. The layers of colour are intended to coordinate with the wider environment.

The plan is bookended by 2 bedrooms with the living space in the middle, opening both east and west allowing access to decks, sun and shelter from the prevailing north-westerly coastal winds. To create a subtle intimacy in the in the open plan living space, it is laid out in a pinwheel pattern creating diagonal spatial flows with the ‘L’ shaped window seat and joinery diagonally opposite the kitchen. 

The section is easy care with native grasses and plantings and the lawn areas cut in for cricket and parking cars.

Photographer: Paul McCredie.