Waterfront hideaway
Words Milly Nolan
Replacing the historic tramcar-turned-bach that originally lent its name to Whangateau's Tramcar Bay, there now stands an impressive waterfront home deserving of the recognition it receives.
Crafted by The House Company, the contemporary holiday house in Whangateau has garnered praise from both locals and judges alike. It triumphed in the New Home $1 million – $1.5 million category, clinching a prestigious National Category Award at the 2023 Registered Master Builders House of the Year awards. Furthermore, it proudly secured its spot among Aotearoa’s Top 100 homes of 2023, accompanied by a Gold Award at the Regional Event.
The design features clean lines and minimalistic appeal. Clad in elegant aluminium and dark stained vertical cedar, the single-story holiday house seamlessly blends with its natural surroundings. Nestled amongst native trees, it offers uninterrupted vistas stretching across the water to Ti Point and Omaha.
Designed for entertaining and capitalising on the breathtaking scenery, the open-plan living areas steal the spotlight, amplifying the home's allure. The expansive kitchen and living spaces effortlessly connect with the outdoors through generous sliders, leading to a private deck spanning the home’s entire length. An integrated Engel fire, and louvred windows and roofing system, create warmth while a glass balustrade ensures uninterrupted views of the estuary.
Catering to the client, an artist and busy entrepreneur, privacy was paramount, as was seeking solace and creative inspiration. The thoughtful layout of the three-bedroom abode separates the master bedroom from the other rooms, ensuring privacy and ease of living. Throughout the house, the interior is painted in Dulux Ohiwa - a muted grey-olive-green that creates a calm and relaxed ambience throughout. Generous wall space has also been allocated for showcasing the client’s art.
Architectural features throughout the house such as the Urbinos Concealed Jamb System, negative skirting, square stopping, and recessed curtain tracks seamlessly blend functionality with aesthetics.
With careful consideration for sustainability, the house boasts minimal energy usage and efficient heating systems, incorporating underfloor ducted recovery heat pumps, low-E glass and ThermalHeart aluminium joinery. Divided into three pods - a master bed pod, living pod and guest bedroom pod - the heating and cooling systems adjust based on occupancy.
Flawlessly merging sustainable design, artistic functionality and seamless integration with nature, The House Company has exemplified their commitment to creating a mindful and captivating home in what has become a serene retreat for the owners.
The House Company have been building homes between Auckland Harbour Bridge and Waipu Cove for over 30 years and are located in both Warkworth and Silverdale.
