Distinctive Designs

Queenstown properties boast spectacular mountain and lake views, but this can mean conflicting landscape design needs: an outdoor space that balances openness with closeness. Jude’s recent Mill Vista project is one such case. “The site had beautiful views of Lake Hayes and The Remarkables, which I designed an open view towards, but then the internal…

Designed for her own family, the home explores how architecture can frame views, shape daily life, and provide a sense of protection in an exposed environment. Maja began with a clear vision: “Views from anywhere on the property – direct and look-through views.” The brief also called for “a spacious, fun, open-plan family home” and…

For owners Sarah and David Kidd, this peaceful, low-maintenance property has been thoughtfully updated and extended to accommodate their visiting daughters, grandchildren and friends. The new extension and layout are ideal for gatherings with a new swimming pool to soak in while enjoying the stunning mountain views. Director of Modbox Joe Daly says, “Sarah and…

The owners of this rural valley home swapped their busy lives in Dunedin for a calmer pace of life. Mike Kapua of Mike Kapua Builders developed a close relationship with the homeowners during the build. Mike says: “Richard and Fiona live a lifestyle deeply connected to the outdoors. Whether tending to their gardens, exploring walking…

In the West Meadows neighbourhood of Wanaka, a new house by Immersion Architecture brings a quietly confident presence to its prominent corner site. Named Terrace House, the project pairs robust construction with carefully framed views to create a contemporary alpine retreat designed for extended family living. Rather than relying on spectacle, the architecture celebrates material…

The Boulders residence is a summit in its own right, the pinnacle of site-responsive, sustainable architecture, of awe-inspiring ambition and ingenious biophilic design. It sits 480 metres above sea level on a challenging, steep slope between the mountain range and Lake Dunstan below. Completed in 2023, a lucky few have since had the pleasure of…

When designing a home for himself and his family, architectural designer and director of Prime Designs Luke Hammington drew inspiration from the natural surroundings. “We live an active lifestyle and wanted something that captured the mountains and scenery whilst still feeling private and cosy,” says Luke. “We are big entertainers so having multiple leisure spaces…

Blending rugged materials with refined, handcrafted details, Te Mira is a home that feels both grounded and luxurious. The 485m² residence sits on an elevated 1592sqm site within the exclusive Millbrook Resort near Arrowtown, a setting that is rich in regional history, immediately establishing its sense of place. From this vantage point, the home captures…

Set on Christchurch’s rural-urban fringe, the design embraces all the benefits of country living in a suburban location with organic curves, open living spaces and quiet nooks. The property is positioned for natural light in a new footprint that replaces the site’s original house; inheriting a legacy of mature trees and a tennis court for…

In New Zealand’s rich design landscape, Kamo Marsh Landscape Architects has earned a reputation for crafting outdoor spaces that are both functional and beautiful. Based in Christchurch and Queenstown, the studio is best known for its standout residential landscape design, which blends spatial clarity, robust planting palettes, and deep respect for site context. Whether dealing…

The history of this hillside home spans around 25 years when D.J. Hewitt Builders originally built the property for the previous owners. Two and a half decades later the current owners wanted to bring the kitchen up to date. “What started as a kitchen renovation became a full home renovation,” says Daryl Hewitt of D.J.…

The owners of this light-filled house had a very clear vision from the start. Nick Cowdy of Cowdy Real Estate and Prue Johnstone of Johnstone Callaghan Architects drew inspiration for their family home from a love of mid-century design. “The Christchurch Style was at the forefront of the brief,” says architect Prue. “It was a…

Located in a quiet cul-de-sac, this sustainable design was crafted for a young couple, their two small children and two dogs. The architecture realises their vision for a calm, low-maintenance and functional home to support the daily rhythm of family life. Hailey Sinke, senior architectural designer at Performance Architecture, drew inspiration from the local Marshlands…

Built to replace an earthquake damaged property the homeowners had lived in for many years, this new design maximises the site with increased light, privacy and connection to outdoor spaces. Daniel Webb, architectural designer and director of Threefold Architecture says: “The homeowners’ lifestyle is relaxed and centred around the kitchen and living areas and a…

By integrating thoughtful planning, refined materials and sustainable design, this grand 333 square-metre residence embodies a sophisticated, functional family home. “The clients are long-time admirers of Art Deco architecture who wanted a home that reflected their love of design, travel and creative living,” says Architect Barry Connor of Barry Connor Design. “Their lifestyle called for…

Plumbline has unveiled a design collaboration withone of Australia’s most celebrated designvisionaries, Greg Natale. The Milazzo collection marksGreg’s first foray into bathroom ware — a naturalextension of his unmistakable aesthetic and his ongoinginfluence across the world of interiors. Known for his daring use of colour, pattern andmateriality, Greg brings his signature aesthetic to thebathroom in…

The homeowners of this striking beach house are busy professionals with two teenaged boys and a beach-loving dog. This coastal lifestyle is an essential ingredient of life for the family who enjoy all the benefits of beach access from their new home. The modern architectural form of this beachside residence features crisp white walls, clean…

Defined by careful detailing, natural materials, and a quiet sense of mood, Casa de Playa de Verano sets a new standard for everyday kitchens. Built by Jafa Construction and designed by Jenny Holmes of Designmarked Kitchens, the space draws on Mediterranean influences without leaning into pastiche, instead translating the relaxed character of a Spanish coastal…

Every material, every line, every surface of this Mount Maunganui has been carefully considered. The result? A home that is as tactile as it is visually compelling. Visitors are led along stone pathways flanked by lush plantings to a striking semiframeless glass pivot door, the perfect counterpoint to rich Travertine stone. The home’s exterior is…

his kitchen is positioned in the heart of a new dwelling built for the owners of boutique building company Langsford and Ogle Homes and their two young children. Real estate agent Mel Langsford and her husband Mitch, have built and renovated five of their own properties and bring a high level of experience and discernment…

This builder’s own home for Jack Hoult and his young family was architecturally designed by Alice Gironella, director of Rubixarc. Jack and his family live an active, coastal lifestyle and love spending time on the beach and in the surf. “This dynamic way of living directly influenced the home’s open plan design, which emphasises seamless…

When choosing a rug, it’s important to consider how the space will be used. Will it be a high use area? Are there children and/or pets in the home? Is it located close to an entrance? All of these will contribute to the performance of the rug. Large rugs unite furniture and make a room…

When the owners of this 1980s rural lifestyle property approached Chelsey Mathieson of Niche Design Co, they were undergoing a full home renovation. “As busy professionals with young children, they wanted a kitchen and scullery that were both functional and familyfriendly,” says Chelsey. “The clients were drawn to a timber aesthetic with clean lines and…

For architect Andrew Ward of Mod Architecture, the goal was to create a spacious home for the family of five, leveraging the steep Pyes Pa section to maximise space and capture views wherever possible. “A builder always comes with a level of design understanding and trust in the Architect,” says Andrew. Having worked with Mod…

Diane Berghan, Josh Hepi, their two boys, Kaius (11) and Kahn (10) and their cavoodle puppy, Haiku are an active, outdoorsy family. “We love travelling, so a simple low-maintenance home was important to us. Somewhere we could lock up, head away on adventures and always enjoy coming back to,” says Diane. “As soon as we…

This 150-square-metre home was named Kōtare Grove by its owner after the local kingsfisher population and native tree plantation. Architect Paul Crawford designed this coastal haven to connect with the unique beauty of its environment. “We’ve worked with Paul at Architecto for a couple of years and he referred us for this project,” says Mike…

Perched to capture the views, this build is a home that perfectly blends modern luxury with timeless restraint. Designed during the COVID lockdown by husband-and-wife duo Lisa and Tom Driffill of Narley Construction, and realised with architectural designer Mike of New Dimension Architecture, the home is both a personal milestone and a showcase of their…

This gabled cedar, concrete and steel residence built by Inhouse Construction enjoys a unique position bordering a golf course, nature reserve and the Manawatū River. The site of this builder’s own home for Ben Cousins and his golf loving family was ideal. “We were lucky to secure a double section backing onto the riverbank reserve,…

Walker Box is a delightful defiance of the expected. Born from a self- build spirit and squeezed onto a sliver of Wellington hillside, this 63-square-metre tower challenges planning norms, spatial conventions, and the very idea of what a home can be. This space combines a home, a studio, and a tribute to architect Roger Walker…

Sitting high above the Kapiti coastline, Rochelle and Sam’s home represents years of planning and collaboration. They sought a sleek, industrial design that required minimal styling. “We wanted the design, features, and craftsmanship to speak for themselves,” Rochelle says. “Hamish from ETAL did a great job translating our ideas.” “Organised into four quadrants of living,…

Expertly carved into the steep Island Bay hillside, this light-filled environmentally conscious design from Arête Architects is positioned for sun and sweeping views across Wellington and Cook Straight. Rob Seymour of Seymour Construction is both the builder and owner of this high-performance home. Rob who grew up locally says, “The opportunity to secure a piece…

Making the most of panoramic Hawke’s Bay views of the ocean and farmland, this new build by Drinkrow Homes offers ideal, easy living for a young family. Its rural setting required a team intimately familiar with the site’s qualities to achieve the precise, high-quality architectural finish envisioned. The homeowners sought a family home with character…

Positioned amid the open plains of Kairanga, in the heart of Manawatū, this refined, gabled home from Slate Studio redefines rural architecture through a modern interpretation of the classic ‘H’ floorplan. This beautiful 315 square metre family home is designed to maximise views of the stunning rural landscape with high ceilings and glazed gabled forms…

This double bay heritage villa in Mount Victoria has been artfully reimagined, embracing contemporary living with a rear extension that engages with the garden and a cherished century-old pear tree. Having worked with the homeowners on a previous interior project, Kurio Design were engaged from the start. Interior Designer Katie Peck viewed the house with…

TThis farmhouse style villa kitchen, has been restored with great care and artistry by Fusion Joinery. From the initial designs through to the selection of materials and installation, this sympathetic kitchen restoration combines traditional style with modern convenience. “The clients wanted to recreate accents to be in keeping with the home. To give the look…

Kurio is a Wellington-based interior design studio founded by Katie Peck and Nikki Burnet, whose shared vision brings together decades of international and local experience across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Europe. With a reputation for delivering thoughtful, well-crafted interiors, Kurio’s work sits at the intersection of creativity and functionality. Their design philosophy is…

Mark Newdick is a Wellington-based landscape architect specialising in residential design. Growing up in the spectacular landscapes of the South Island led him to study ecology and landscape at Lincoln University, beginning his fascination with the myriad textures, colours and characters of native plants and with abstracting natural forms and patterns into domestic landscapes. Mark…

Max Patté is a contemporary multimedia artist known for his vivid interplay of light, colour, and form. Educated at the Wimbledon School of Art in London and elected an Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 2008, Max has developed a practice that spans sculpture, painting, and immersive light art. His studio work…

Perched on the Tata Beach hillside with uninterrupted views across Liger Bay this terraced holiday home is a unique modernist retreat, designed with warmth and integrated with nature. When choosing an architect for their project, business owners Liz and Mark put together a mood board of homes. One in particular, a modernist design by Young…

Whether your new kitchen comes with a new home or a renovation there are a lot of aspects to consider. When designing a kitchen, it’s important to balance form with function. While gathering inspiration in magazines and online is a good starting point; a kitchen designer is key for considering the practical details. A designer…

In this calming, connection-focused kitchen, natural textures, clean lines and warm tones create a welcoming atmosphere. Details such as a hidden pantry-bar and integrated coffee nook reflect contemporary living, where every feature is intentional and thoughtfully placed. At Genia, each project begins with a vision. Whether you are designing a bespoke kitchen, a compact retreat,…

Arthouse Architects has built a distinguished reputation as a boutique architectural studio that merges creativity, functionality, and context-driven design. With offices in Nelson, Christchurch, and Blenheim, they deliver high-quality work across residential, commercial, and educational sectors, all centred on who will use the space. Sustainability and context drive much of the practice’s work. The award-winning…