The west coast of Tāmaki Makaurau has long been fertile ground for architecture – the bush, the surf, the sense of isolation despite the proximity to Aotearoa’s biggest city. The two houses we’re visiting in this issue are both exemplars of the conditions.

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At Anawhata, designer Paul Davidson took five years to build his own home in regenerating bush, with an almost Japanese sense of craft and detail. The house, which was shortlisted in our 2022 Here Awards, features a compact plan and surprising volumes with views into the surrounding bush. (You can read more here.)

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And at Piha, architect José Guttierez came up with a novel response to extending an original bach surrounded by pōhutukawa: he turned the original house into living spaces, and built an elevated, elegant sleepout on steel poles in the trees. Now, the various structures on the site act in concert – and the new structure creates a covered outdoor living area behind. 

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It’ll be our last Open Home in Tāmaki until the end of 2023 as the programme heads for other centres, so be sure to grab a ticket and make a day of it! 

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What:

Garden Road by José Gutierrez (left) and Anawhata House by Paul Davidson (right)

Where:

Anawhata and Piha, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

When:

Saturday 11 February, 2023; sessions from 9.30am

Tickets:

$25 (limited numbers!) from here.

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