Allport Road Project

A Custom Hilltop Timber Home

Perched high on a north-facing hillside in the Western Bay of Plenty, this custom solid timber home captures sweeping sea and rural views and is something pretty special.

Designed and built for a semi-retired couple looking to create a home that fitted their lifestyle, life stage and the landscape around them. The result is a home that feels perfectly suited to both the setting and how the owners live.

Case Study designed for lifestyle and stage

Designed for lifestyle and life stage

One of the most important aspects of this project was designing the home around how the owners intended to live. With grown-up children and a close-knit extended family, they didn’t want the house to feel too vast when it was just the two of them, but they did want plenty of space and privacy for when family came to stay.

The resulting design features two separate wings connected to a central open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.

From here, a cleverly positioned cosy media room leads through to the master suite, complete with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, creating a peaceful retreat for the homeowners.

The guest wing provides additional bedrooms and a large family bathroom, giving family and friends their own space while visiting.

An architectural feel designed around the view

The design was carefully considered to make the most of the home’s unique position.

Stepping into the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, visitors are immediately drawn to the high sweeping ceilings, creating a sense of scale and an architectural look and feel.

The large gabled windows, frame the best views and fill the space with natural light. Clever window placement, such as a window instead of a kitchen splashback and a window in the scullery, maximise the 360 degree views, making the stunning outlook part of the everyday experience.

Case Study Body A Modern Scandi Interior

A Modern Scandinavian Interior

Inside, blonded timber walls bring a modern Scandinavian feel to the home. The natural tones of the timber soften the large spaces and create a warmth that makes the home feel both contemporary and comfortable.

This balance between spaciousness and cosiness is one of the defining qualities of solid timber homes. Natural materials, combined with thoughtful design, create homes that feel calm, warm and connected to nature.

Bespoke Details That Make It Unique

While the home itself was a fully customised plan, it also demonstrates how bespoke design and personalisation can be achieved without the cost often associated with architectural builds.

Throughout the house, carefully chosen details add character and individuality. American Ash sliding barn doors bring a complementary timber element and a subtle contrast to the blonded timber interior walls.

A beautifully crafted schist stone feature wall in the entranceway creates an impressive sense of arrival, while the feature fireplace continues this theme in the living space – adding texture and an impressive focal point.

Case Study a home that fits people and place

A Home that Fits Place and People

The Allport Road home shows how thoughtful and considered design can best bring together landscape, lifestyle and natural materials.

With expansive views, thoughtful spaces and carefully chosen materials, it’s a home that works beautifully for everyday living while still making the most of its incredible position.