Kaiapo Bay Lake House.

Located within the exclusive Kaiapo Bay Lifestyle Sections development between Acacia Bay and Kinloch, this contemporary rural retreat has been thoughtfully designed to make the most of its truly spectacular setting. Positioned on the prominent first site within the 10-lot subdivision, the home overlooks Lake Taupō with uninterrupted views through to the National Park mountain range.

Designed as a light-filled flagship home, the project carefully responds to both the natural environment and the specific Resource Consent requirements of the site. A strict 5m maximum height restriction, introduced to protect lake and mountain views and minimise visual impact from the lakeside, shaped the home’s distinctive long, lean form and low-pitched roofline. The result is a home that sits quietly within the landscape while still capturing breathtaking views from every bedroom and living space.

Spanning 427m², the home has been carefully arranged to create both connection and separation between living and accommodation spaces. Two generous guest bedrooms are positioned at one end of the home, while the master suite, office and laundry/service areas occupy the opposite wing. At the centre of the layout, the open-plan kitchen and dining area connects seamlessly with two separate living spaces and a sheltered covered outdoor living area, creating a natural hub for entertaining and relaxed family living.

One of the key design challenges was balancing the desire to maximise the southern lake and mountain outlook, while still drawing in natural light and warmth from the north-facing roadside elevation. This was resolved through a carefully considered series of architectural interventions. A central opening through the middle of the home allows sunlight to penetrate deep into the living spaces and outdoor courtyards, while oversized glazing and clerestory windows filter shifting natural light throughout the day. Along the northern side of the home, a gallery space lined with floor-to-ceiling glazing and an elongated skylight washes light across the striking South Island schist feature wall that runs internally through the home.

The material palette further strengthens the connection between the home and its surrounding landscape. Charred vertical shiplap Accoya cladding wraps the main body of the house, complemented by vertical standing seam cladding to the garage and roof forms. Large expanses of glazing create a strong relationship between interior and exterior spaces, while stone is echoed both externally and internally, bringing texture, warmth and continuity throughout the home.