Pacific Road House
Status: Completed
Perched on the upper slopes of Paku Hill, this project reimagines the client's dwelling as a contemporary coastal home that is both highly resilient and deeply connected to its dramatic setting.
While the original house occupied an exceptional site overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it lacked the comfort, durability and spatial quality required to fully engage with its surroundings.
The design retains the existing concrete basement structure, anchoring the home firmly into the hillside, while the levels above have been entirely rebuilt in lightweight construction.
The resulting composition is expressed as a sculptural form that appears to emerge from the slope itself - its geometry informed by the steep contours of the land behind.
A diagonal roof ridge introduces movement and tension to the composition, while the upper level projects beyond the base below, creating deep shadow lines that reinforce the building's sense of depth and permanence.
Wrapped entirely in vertical Abodo shiplap cladding, the home is defined by a series of crisp lines and carefully resolved junctions.
The uninterrupted vertical rhythm accentuates the building's height and contrasts with both the dark concrete plinth beneath and the lush native vegetation surrounding it.
Timber-lined soffits fold seamlessly into the form, softening the transitions between planes and reinforcing the crafted nature of the architecture while offering shade from the sun.
Internally, the house is organised to maximise both light and outlook. Living spaces occupy the entry level and open directly onto the expansive east-facing terrace, creating a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living.
Bedrooms above enjoy morning sun and elevated ocean views, while a dramatic stairwell illuminated by full-height glazing draws natural light deep into the centre of the home.
A sheltered courtyard carved into the hillside provides a more intimate outdoor space, protected from the coastal elements.
Through a restrained palette and carefully considered form, the project transforms an ageing structure into a contemporary coastal retreat - one whose sculptural presence responds equally to the terrain of
Paku Hill and the vast horizon of the Pacific Ocean beyond.
