Kawakawa House by Herbst Architects

Along the rugged coastline of Auckland at the base of a mountain slope lies Kawakawa House, a breathtaking dwelling that seamlessly interweaves with the untamed natural beauty of its surroundings.

Designed by Herbst Architects, this coastal forest retreat serves as a poignant ode to the wild Tasman Sea below as well as the magnificent canopy of mature pōhutukawa trees that surround it.

Kawakawa House emerges as an homage to its natural heritage, and the architect’s response to the environment is both sensitive and masterful. To truly appreciate the home, one must first understand its inspiration – a landscape characterised by its raw, unbridled splendour. “It’s all about the trees,” says Lance Herbst, principal at Herbst Architects. The site’s dense forest of pōhutukawa, revered as national treasures, sets the tone for the design.

“What we did was create a clerestory all the way around the building, and what that’s really doing is lifting your eye as you move through so that you can observe this canopy of pōhutukawa all the time.”

A notion embodied by every aspect of the two-storey abode is a sense of immersion. Low windows offer glimpses of the dark-green forest floor, while elevated living spaces offer expansive views of both the sea and canopy above. “As you move through the building, you have this beautiful pōhutukawa and mountain behind you,” says Herbst. “What we did was create a clerestory all the way around the building, and what that’s really doing is lifting your eye as you move through so that you can observe this canopy of pōhutukawa all the time.”

The material palette reinforces the dwelling’s connection to its environment – from spotted gum flooring to black steel joinery to sculptural features that add aesthetic appeal and structural support. Dark-stained timber, chosen to mimic the bark of the surrounding trees, seamlessly integrates Kawakawa House into its setting. Birch plywood also evokes the gradient tones of freshly cut wood, adding warmth and texture to the interior spaces. This purposeful selection of materials serves not only to blend the house with its location but also pays homage to the forest that envelops it.

The design facilitates a flow from the living space to the courtyard, maintaining a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors while bringing light into the heart of the home.

The floor plan of Kawakawa House reflects a thoughtful approach to coastal living. Designed as a holiday retreat, it offers simplicity and functionality without compromising on comfort. The upper level, housing the main living space and bedrooms, is a simple rectangle, construed as a balustraded, covered deck with an integrated open courtyard – a focal point around which the architectural plan revolves. The design facilitates a flow from the living space to the courtyard, maintaining a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors while bringing light into the heart of the home. “It’s an indoor space,” says Herbst, “but we’re putting in these cues that tell you it’s an outdoor area.”

The courtyard also serves as a protected outdoor living area when the wind blows in from the west. “What you’re able to do is retreat into that space, uncovered,” says Herbst. “You have the view all the time, but the courtyard is editing out all the wind.”

Reflecting on the project, Herbst notes the evolution from the firm’s previous work, Under Pōhutukawa – an almost identical site to Kawakawa House.

Additionally, the functional arrangement of the bedrooms and bunk area maximises space and encourages social interaction, and the bridge connecting the building to the mountain slope further highlights the relationship between the home and landscape. This encourages occupants to explore and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Reflecting on the project, Herbst notes the evolution from the firm’s previous work, Under Pōhutukawa – an almost identical site to Kawakawa House. “This home is the second iteration,” he says, “and there were positive lessons learned from the first one.” While Kawakawa House shares the same site conditions, the project represents a more distinct architectural response, showcasing a refined approach that maintains the spirited essence of the original concept but in a geometrical and stripped-back manner. “We responded in a similar way, but our practice had moved into other expressions.”

The site’s dense forest of pōhutukawa, revered as national treasures, sets the tone for the design.

This acknowledgement underscores the evolution in Herbst Architects’ design approach, where the team consciously chose to retain the essence of their initial concept while exploring new avenues of expression. This results in Kawakawa House becoming a distinct yet harmonious continuation of their architectural narrative. “It’s the development of our initial thought … taking what was an exuberant response and dealing with it in a much more controlled way.”

Kawakawa House stands not only as a remarkable architectural achievement but also as a testament to the enduring relationship between humanity and nature. By embracing the wild beauty of the Auckland coast, Herbst Architects has created a serene sanctuary where design and landscape coalesce in perfect harmony – a place where the spirit of the home lives on, forever intertwined with the pōhutukawa forest that envelopes it.

Architecture and interior design by Herbst Architects. Build by Riggans Build.