Waihi Beach House - Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Located just a few surfboard-lengths from Waihi beach, this contemporary bach was built for rugby legend and mental health advocate, Sir John Kirwan.

A keen surfer who wanted a low-maintenance holiday base for his family, JK's brief to designer Chris Tate included ensuring the house merged with its natural surroundings.

This was achieved through the use of steel cladding in a matte finish, with Vulcan Rhombus Clip Screening for the baseboards and decking balustrades. The warm wood tones provide a sense of contrast against the horizontal lines of the steel.

A carefree, dune-style look is created through the addition of a boardwalk that runs alongside the house, accessing the deck to the rear.

The summer months are largely spent outdoors, so the deck is substantial with stadium-style stairs to the lawn and a covered barbecue area extending the entertaining space beyond the walls of the home.

Vulcan Decking finished in Protector - Clear was chosen for this exposed environment. This low-maintenance finish will silver off over time and also has the benefit of being made using a waterborne formulation, which means it is safe on bare feet and won’t leach chemicals into the environment.

Being created from locally grown, FSC® certified pine plantations, these timber products are also sustainable choices, which is especially important for a homeowner who loves the outdoors.