When Brad Pearless was engaged to design a home for a large, multigenerational family on a subdivided piece of land in Waterview, Auckland, the aim was to create a sustainable, energy efficient building that would stand the test of time.

An expansive renovation realigns this Northland house to the sea with a contemporary material palette that feels right at home.

There’s a poetic rigour to this house, which moves effortlessly between transparency and solidity. On a site overlooking the Tukituki valley and the craggy summit of Te Mata Peak, it is irrevocably immersed in the moods of the mountains.

Layered like the tiers of a decadent cake, this beach house on an exposed corner site is a striking blend of coastal chic and spatial dynamism.

This sophisticated holiday home by Studio Pacific is composed of three pavilions and was inspired by mountain huts, Japanese interiors, extreme sports, yoga, and hospitality.

At the end of a shingle road deep in the Muriwai Valley on Auckland’s rugged West Coast is a place of dreamlike tranquillity. Here, Adam Mercer and Alastair Mckenzie envisioned a home that would cascade down from a ridgeline, culminating in a living space at the centre of a natural amphitheatre surrounded by native trees.

From the embers of an old Ponsonby villa rises a clever interpretation of traditional forms. Julian Guthrie Architecture achieved something entirely contemporary, yet firmly rooted in colonial design vocabulary.

A place for relaxation without the added frills, and shelter from the elements without losing sight of the sun; Strachan Group Architects delivers a simple yet soothing statement on the shores of Langs Beach.

This home on a rural block on Auckland’s North Shore, designed by Sayes Jackson Architects, is composed of grand gestures and exceptional detailing.

Arkhé Architecture was inspired by camping, tramping, and — somewhat laterally — even Mars when designing this small, bush-clad Bay of Plenty retreat with sun-drenched coastal views.

Situated on a hill in a small town on an isthmus separating two picture-perfect bays, this decades-old bach and sleep-out by Studio Pacific Architecture continues to inspire and resonate.

Located among grand, expansive neighbours, this modest holiday home by Andrew Meiring Architects had to find confidence and gravitas from smart, sculptural moves.

Lenticular House by Patterson Associates sits within the dunes of the Northland coast. It is a highly crafted, beautifully detailed, sleek machine for uncomplicated living.

Approach this 100-year-old villa in Auckland’s Remuera and there’s a beguiling sense of history and character, but there’s also a sense of something more.

Five simple elements and the well-placed delivery of a stunning view define this minimalist, Hawke’s Bay home by Dorrington Atcheson Architects.

When a client’s brief is to “come up with something you think looks good”, the parameters are so open and the trust so complete that it can feel overwhelming. However, architect Phil Smith had known Martin and Christina Russell for close to a decade. If they were relaxed, so was he.

This clear insertion into the back of a century-old Wellington villa provides an extra 135 square metres and a myriad of spatial experiences for the owners.

This Leigh holiday house by Belinda George Architects offers spatial variation, highly contrasting experiences, and a bespoke solution that reflects its owners’ personalities.