Completed in 2019, the 195-square-meter Bowentown Bach House by Edwards White Architects is a holiday home situated in the small coastal settlement of Bowentown, New Zealand, on the Bay of Plenty. The house was designed as a place of refuge, standing between a conventional seaside subdivision and a rugged coastal landscape of wind-swept dunes. The form of the dwelling takes inspiration from a piece of weathered, charred driftwood that has come to rest in the dunes.

The exterior is defined by a singular, eroded angular shape clad in weathering black cedar, creating a sense of a protective shell. In contrast, the interior reveals warm, honey-toned timber linings, representing the untouched inner wood of the driftwood. The interior layout is bisected by a diagonal path that leads to a stairwell, taking guests up to the main elevated living space. From this raised position, the occupants can observe the sweeping views of the dunes and the sea.

The dynamic geometry of the exterior is reflected in the interior, which features a variety of spatial experiences, from expansive, lofty areas to low, snug window seats. Openings and windows are strategically placed to maximize views of the natural environment, while solid walls on the opposite side provide refuge from the neighbouring suburbia. The warm, earthy colour palette of the materials, including rough-sawn timber flooring and black window frames, is chosen to allow the surrounding landscape to be the primary focus.

Credits

Architects: Edwards White Architects

Lead Architect: Brian White

Contractors: David Beattie Builders

Engineering: Arnold and Johnstone

Client: David Beattie Builders

Team Member: Mark Parton

Photography: Simon Wilson

Manufacturers: Cosentino, Miele, APL NZ, Award Appliances, Colorsteel, Dryden Woodoil, Greens Tapware, Mohawk Flooring, Mr Ralph, Rosenfeld Kidson, Tile Space, Vintage Lighting, Warmington Fires