From country to coast

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 on a generous 18,040 square metre site.

The 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom country property is efficiently designed to house living and sleeping wings as well as a guest wing. The H-shaped floorplan allows for two central courtyards, designed to provide privacy and shelter from the elements.

Working in close collaboration with the skilled construction team at Rouxel Construction and engaged clients, Slate’s architectural role centred on shaping a home that unites timeless simplicity with high-performance detailing. The result is a residence that feels both rooted in its rural setting and elevated in its design language.

The home’s architecture balances symmetry and connection while embracing a distinctly modern sensibility. The tactile and enduring colour palette of the exterior complements the surrounding farmland.

Generous glazing frames expansive views across the Manawatū landscape, while carefully proportioned openings and deep eaves regulate light and shade throughout the day. The restrained material composition and layered façade details reveal Slate’s commitment to creating architecture that is both expressive and enduring.

Inside, spaces transition seamlessly from private retreats to open social zones, unified by a warm, textural interior palette. The homeowners confidently selected the interior palette based around the architectural brief for a contemporary country home with natural materials and tones to blend with the rural landscape.

Hard flooring, aluminium joinery and skylights combine to create an atmosphere of understated comfort and modern elegance. Thoughtful orientation and high-performance ceiling and in- wall insulation ensure year-round efficiency and environmental responsiveness.

The homeowners love the seamless indoor-outdoor flow from the kitchen to the louvred outdoor area. From there they can enjoy the scenery and the established landscaping in any weather. The homeowners enjoy entertaining family and friends in their new home and gather in the outdoor space with its fully louvred automated roof system complete with built-in barbeque and bar area.

The luxurious rural residence is fitted with solar provisions for future integration of solar panels; while the fire in the main living room is a Yunca Xander Insert Woodburner. The home also benefits from a central ducted heating system.

“Armada is a project about proportion, balance, and craft,” says Finn Tate, design lead at Slate Studio. “Every design move was intentional to frame the view, harness natural light and keep an open, airy form feeling homely and grounded. That was our shared focus with the clients, ensuring that no one gable felt dominant or out of scale. The aim was to create a home that celebrates volume and symmetry while feeling like a warm, contemporary interpretation of a country farmstead.”

Set amongst the dunes of Peka Peka on the Kāpiti Coast, this striking two-level home from Slate Construction was designed by MCooper Architects and built by Slate Construction to blend naturally with its coastal setting while delivering refined, highly functional modern living.

The home features three bedrooms, multiple living spaces, a guest suite, studio, study and double garage, organised over two levels. The Arapipi residence showcases exceptional craftsmanship, intelligent detailing, and a restrained material palette that celebrates texture and coastal tones.

When the homeowners reached out to Slate Construction for the build, they had already partnered with Michael Cooper of MCooper Architects, and the design was nearing consent approval.

“Working with MCooper Architects was a true collaboration. While the clients engaged them directly, we maintained excellent communication throughout the build process. Michael’s team was incredibly responsive when addressing on-site variations and technical queries, which is crucial for a project of this complexity,” says Brett Wycherley from Slate Construction.

“The clients sought a contemporary family home based on a Hamptons aesthetic, where everyday life and holiday living would intersect. Their brief called for a house that could withstand the changing coastal environment while remaining warm, tactile and low-maintenance, expressing a modern take on the region’s coastal vernacular,” says Michael.

“The design responds directly to its unique setting, carefully orienting living areas and decks to capture natural light, prevailing breezes and panoramic views of the sea and dunes,” says Michael.

Generous guest accommodation and multiple living spaces allow the home to adapt to different rhythms of family life, from quiet retreats to social gatherings. Homeowner Anita Thomas of AT Home Interiors was engaged throughout the entire construction process. “The material palette of the home was carefully selected by the Slate Design team in collaboration with AT Home Interiors to respond to both the coastal environment and a contemporary aesthetic,” says Brett.

“Anita brought a clear vision and impeccable taste to every space. Collaborating closely with our interior specialist and project team on everything from material selection to colour palettes, ensuring a cohesive design language flowed throughout the home. This level of client involvement created a true partnership that elevated the final result – when homeowners are this invested in the details, it shows in the finished product,” says Brett.

“Given the sandy coastal conditions, we implemented a comprehensive engineered foundation system. This included a Maxraft 400 Engineered Ribraft Concrete Foundation with hot- edge insulation for thermal performance, supported by seven 1.2-meter-deep concrete piles with 450mm diameter. This robust foundation system ensures the home remains stable and secure in the shifting sand dune environment while providing excellent thermal efficiency,” says Brett.

“The home’s material palette was carefully selected to respond to both the coastal environment and the projects contemporary aesthetic. Exteriors feature BGC Nuline Weatherboard and JSC TMT Tulipwood, paired with Colosrteel Maxx roofing,” says Michael. “This provides durability, low maintenance and a tactile natural expression that sits harmoniously within its landscape. Paints and stains were specified from Resene, chosen for their resilience and clean, modern finish. Bathrooms and kitchen feature fittings and fixtures from Plumbline, ABI, Newtech and Robertsons.”

“What makes this project truly special is witnessing the complete transformation from initial concept to a stunning coastal home that perfectly captures the clients’ vision. The seamless integration of challenging coastal engineering with luxury finishes, combined with the clients’ passionate involvement throughout the process, created something extraordinary,” says Brett.

“Our clients interior design expertise, paired with our team’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, resulted in a home that’s not just built to last in this harsh coastal environment, but also provides a beautiful, comfortable sanctuary for the family to enjoy for generations.”

Contact details:

Slate Studio
06 755 1144
hello@slate.co.nz
www.slate.co.nz