Mahuika House

We’ve not been to New Zealand here at The Coolector but there’s no denying that it looks like one of the most spectacular countries in the world so far as the landscapes are concerned and the modern architecture isn’t far behind as Mahuika House from Daniel Marshall Architects admirably illustrates. This stunning piece of contemporary design is located in Waikopu Bay in New Zealand which affords it some truly mesmerising views from throughout the house and it has 438m² of living space which has been used to its maximum potential.

A Villa was constructed on the site of Mahuika House back in 1905 and a boathouse constructed in the 1970s blocked the mouth of the stream. A queen palm stood at the rear of the Villa as the shore was dominated by giant macrocarpa that darkened the valley. Since the construction of the Villa 111 years ago the bush crept back to form a small clearing, whilst the Villa deteriorated beyond repair. This is where the talented team of designers at Daniel Marshall Architects came in. The new house they have created can be entirely self-sufficient, with its own sewage treatment and a large solar system to provide power.

NEW ZEALAND STATE OF MIND

The dense native bush and the existing stream on the plot were met with careful consideration to ensure the new building didn’t impact too heavily upon them. In February 2020, a few weeks before completion of the build and handing over to the client, an accidental fire tore through the house, destroying the two upper pavilions but leaving the lower concrete pavilions almost undamaged. The house was rebuilt and completed in February 2021. The clients were a family living abroad and they wanted a holiday home that included a 20m pool as they wished to form a connection back to their native Aotearoa.

The team at Daniel Marshall Architect’s response to their new house was to orientate the length of the building alongside the ridge-line in parallel to the coast, stepping down in a total of four different levels. The bedrooms cascade down the hill while the main living area of Mahuika House is positioned where the original Villa once stood. Without damaging any native trees, the architects placed the swimming pool under the main pavilion; parallel to the stream, which delivered an striking pool area and a dramatic cantilever of 6m for the living pavilion above.

We’ve featured a fair few properties in New Zealand on the pages of The Coolector but, it’s fair to say, Mahuika House is definitely one of the most visually impressive, and also laid back, of the bunch. If you love understated yet impactful modern architecture, this cleverly designed home from Daniel Marshall Architects is sure to tick all of the right boxes for you. Boasting exceptional views of lush New Zealand countryside, we can think of few properties that we’ve found more appealing of late.

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Images: Sam Harnett