Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects - Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, Tauranga
Peka Peka II house
Peka Peka House II - Living Room. Wellington architect

Peka Peka House II

Kapiti Coast

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Residential Process

Nestled in behind the sand dunes and bounded by a forest of ancient kānuka trees, this Kapiti Coast beach house favours privacy and shelter over sea views. Our brief was to provide the best of indoor and outdoor living, hence the decision to position the house opening out onto a sheltered internal courtyard protected from the prevailing coastal winds. Clad in two contrasting cedar weatherboard profiles, the main house sits on one side of a glade of native trees, while a separate sleep-out provides protection and privacy from neighbours.

The beautifully consistent and controlled detailing completes what is a very pleasant picture,” NZIA Awards Jury, 2016.

Read an interview with our clients about what it was like to spend lockdown in their HMOA house.

Photos: Andy Spain.
Awards: NZIA Local Award, 2016

To make your way onto the property, you must first gently push your way past the native trees to get to the front door. The owners intentionally made it this way: you move, the foliage stays where it is. The native bush was an important starting point for this house, the local district plan ensures that the planting along the road frontage remains protected for future owners to enjoy. This guardianship made construction of the house slightly more challenging for contractors with a stipulation that all work would be carried out in respectful deference to the trees. The owners love their weekend retreat, which will one day become their main home.