mount dune house

Located in the heart of Mount Maunganui, this concept explores how a permanent family home can sit comfortably within a tight urban coastal site while still feeling open, relaxed and connected to its surroundings.

Designed for a couple with older children, the house responds to a retained, semi-sloping urban site and is arranged over three levels. A basement garage anchors the building, with the main living spaces positioned above and bedrooms located on the upper level. The curved architectural form wraps the front of the home, softening its presence on the street while responding naturally to the contours and retaining walls of the site. Large, curved glazing and sculptural brickwork create visual interest from the roadside while allowing the interior spaces to feel open and light.

The ground floor forms the social heart of the home, where kitchen, dining and main living spaces flow together and open to a sheltered outdoor entertainment area featuring a pool, outdoor fireplace and a dramatic double height atrium. Vertical aluminium louvres span this space, gently curving along their lower edge to filter soft natural light into the interior while providing shading from the northern sun. The result is an outdoor room that feels both dramatic and intimate, creating a comfortable space for entertaining throughout the year. A guest bedroom with its own ensuite, along with a laundry and powder room, are also located on this level.

The upper floor contains the more private areas of the home, including the master suite with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, additional guest bedrooms and a family bathroom. A media room and deck capture views toward Mount Maunganui (Mauao) and across to Baypark Stadium, while also looking down onto a planted roof garden above the garage that softens the built form and creates a layered landscape experience between levels of the house.

The design uses soft curved lines and layered forms to create a sculptural yet relaxed coastal presence. A restrained colour palette, and exterior materials of standing seam metal, curved brickwork and warm timber linings brings texture and warmth to the architecture. Large areas of glazing and the double height void create an airy, light-filled atmosphere, while timber ceilings and carefully proportioned spaces maintain a sense of comfort and intimacy throughout the home.