Waipu Cove, Northland

Principal Architect - Darryl Sang

Team - Shashi Rafique

High Performance House

The Waipu House is located on the Waipu Cove estuary, a two hour drive north from Auckland City. The site gently slopes to the line of red flowering pohutukawa trees on the water’s edge.

The site is accessed from the south, with a curving driveway that leads to a drop off area.

Entry is through a central walled courtyard where the focal point and backdrop is a 10m tower providing elevated sea views over the Pohutukawas. A Bedroom Utility Wing and a Living Wing form the other two sides. An over-sized front door welcomes guests into the entry hall, leading to the heart of the home. The Living Wing, to the right, offers access to the generous covered outdoor spaces and extensive lawns with exceptional views of the peaceful estuary.

The journey through the house blurs the boundary between inside and outside living, with large glass sliding doors providing an unobstructed flow of space from the indoors to the outdoors.

The natural interior material palette consists of warm tones of tiled and timber floors. The choice of a smoked oak kitchen contrast with a duck egg blue Butler’s Pantry, adding an element of surprise. Inspired by the local Hunderwasser toilets at Kawakawa, the clients want to install a mosaic guest toilet with a bottle wall. The choice of relaxation and tones of Steampunk playfulness makes this a very unique coastal retreat.

Inspired by their travels, the clients opted for a particular shade of ochre for the exterior finish.

The Waipu House stands as a testament to quality design and environmental ethic – a building that connects people to place.

Continuous Insulation

Balanced Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation System

Airtightness

High Performance Windows

Minimise Thermal Bridges

Builder - Buckle Building and Construction

Structural Engineers - Richards Consulting Engineers

Geological Engineers - ENGEO

Civil Engineers - Wilton Joubert Consulting Engineers

Joinery - Phoenix Windows and Doors, APL Metro Series Thermal Heart

Cabinet Maker - Guyco Kitchens and Joinery

MHRV - Green Solutions

Cladding - Nu-wall