Nestled just beyond the dunes of Mangawhai, this beachside home is a masterclass in natural balance — where contemporary form meets relaxed coastal living. Designed by Dan McCormack Architects, the residence is at once refined and restrained, inviting calm through material choice and tonal cohesion.
With timber at its core, the palette leans into sandy hues, organic textures, and timeworn elegance — a deliberate move to echo the rhythms of the surrounding landscape.
The Soul of the Home: American Oak
Internally, American Oak is the unifying thread — a material chosen not just for its beauty, but for its ability to bring a sense of calm and continuity throughout the space.
Its soft grain and warm, honeyed tone flow from the flooring up into horizontal wall panelling, through to slatted screens and battens that filter light and soften transitions. Even the smallest architectural details — custom architraves, skirtings and mouldings — have been tailored in American Oak to maintain the integrity of the material story.
The result is an interior that feels grounded and serene — where natural timber becomes the backdrop to everyday life, bringing with it a sense of rhythm, texture, and timelessness.
Timber That Performs at the Coast
Externally, Vertical Shiplap Cladding forms a strong yet understated shell — perfectly suited to coastal conditions. Its clean vertical lines echo the surrounding dune grasses, while the natural durability, and stability, ensures long-term protection from salt air and shifting weather patterns.
Outdoor spaces are extended through generous decks constructed in Vitex hardwood — selected for its durability, barefoot comfort, and natural golden tone that weathers beautifully in the elements.
Coastal Living, Elevated
This home is a celebration of material simplicity done exceptionally well. By grounding the design in natural hardwoods — and allowing those timbers to speak quietly but confidently — the project achieves a sense of calm that few spaces can.