Set on a long, narrow site — one of the final sections available within a tightly held beachfront subdivision in Papamoa — this family home takes full advantage of its coastal position while negotiating a demanding footprint.
With neighbouring houses close on either side and the beach just beyond, the project called for precision rather than excess.
The owners, who relocated from Auckland to the Bay of Plenty with their young child, were keen to fully embrace the rhythm of beachside living. With one of the clients working within the construction industry, the project moved at pace — a momentum architect Jeremy Brick of Studio Brick Architects relished. Based locally, Jeremy is well acquainted with the constraints of compact coastal sites.
“A lot of the architecture in this area leans towards a ‘more is more’ approach,” Jeremy says. “Here, the intention was to strip things back and create a beautiful object — simple, crisp, and well-defined.”
The site’s proportions and proximity to the coast led naturally to a vertical solution. Planning rules allowed for a three-storey home, enabling Jeremy to stack the programme and deliver a generous plan within a tightly bordered envelope.
At ground level, service spaces, including laundry, storage, and a rumpus room, open onto a grassed dune that blocks sightlines from the beach. This organic buffer creates a sense of privacy, while a sheltered deck provides an alternative outdoor retreat, separate from the main living spaces above.
The middle level forms the heart of the home, housing the primary living area, kitchen, and three bedrooms. Elevated above the dunes, this floor enjoys a strong connection to the outdoors while maintaining a sense of enclosure from neighbouring properties.
Above, the top storey is reserved entirely for the owners. Here, a glazed bedroom opens out to sweeping coastal views, with sightlines stretching towards Mōtītī Island in one direction and back to Mount Maunganui in the other. It’s a level that feels removed from the activity below — a private retreat lifted above the beachscape. At the rear, a home office occupies the street-facing edge of the site, completing the stacked plan.
The brickwork was selected for its sandy tones and tactile surface, grounding the building in its coastal context, while the timber was stained to echo the colour of surrounding beach grasses, creating a palette that feels intuitively connected to place.
That material clarity continues inside. The interior needed to feel sleek and contemporary while remaining relaxed enough for everyday family life. Tundra grey stone anchors the kitchen, offset by blonde timber flooring and cabinetry that carry the coastal tones indoors. Minimal shelving and a pared-back approach to detailing keep the space focused and functional.
Bathrooms follow the same language, with travertine-toned tiles and stone benchtops linking back to the kitchen. In the main ensuite, the bath is positioned to take in views across the dunes — visually connected to the bedroom while remaining clearly defined as its own space.
Externally, detailing has been carefully controlled. Gutters and spouting are recessed, leaving nothing visible but clean lines and the gentle rhythm and curve of the timber screen.
Words: Clare Chapman
Images: David Straight
Project Credits
Architecture: Studio Brick Architects
Build: Sarich Design & Build
Cladding: Canterbury Clay Bricks
Lighting: Nightworks Studio
Bathroomware: Plumbline
