A coastal house north of Wellington provides a weekend and holiday retreat nestled in the dunes some 2 kilometres from the beach.

The house is arranged in a 'U' shaped plan, with a covered recreational pool and paving forming a central glazed and sheltered atrium in an environment of ever contrasting weather.

The plan provides alternative usages depending on the weather. A variety of experiences are gained through the house, responding to needs and to weather.

The design builds on the language of a New Zealand response to a beautiful site with 360º views and uses a restrained palette of materials consisting of weathered board and batten cladding, corrugated iron roofing, timber window joinery, tiled and carpeted floors, with quarry titled atrium, plasterboard walls and some timber ceilings.