The designer of this award-winning beach house wasn’t afraid to challenge preconceived notions of coastal living.
It took a blend of courage and outside-the-box thinking to dream up the design of this Piha bach. Situated amid the raw beauty of the west coast’s crashing surf, black sand and bush-clad hills,
“We always knew it was going to be amazing,” he says. “It was a labour of love from the start.”
Tate worked closely with the owner to realise his vision, a process that involved exacting attention to detail throughout the design and construction. From the initial concept, it took 14 years to complete.
The extraordinary site demanded a design that could withstand relentless wind, salt spray and summer crowds – without compromising connection to the landscape. The owner shared his ideas with Tate, leaning into his design ingenuity for an innovative solution. The result is a grounded, weighty and unapologetically protective structure dubbed The Bunker. It has a form that is at once defensive and poetic.
“The design draws inspiration partly from fortifications that once dotted Auckland’s coastline during World War II, hence the name,” Tate says.
What elevates the holiday home is its ability to evoke emotion through engineering. The clever, inventive solution he came up with looks like a V but is actually an X, piled 18m through sand into bedrock. It gives the exterior and interior of the beach house an elegant simplicity.
“It’s not a conventional bach but it works as a design solution for this particular set of circumstances,” he says. “The audacious cantilever not only pushes structural boundaries but also elicits a visceral response – uncertainty, wonder and intrigue.”
The bach is designed to be a place for gathering with friends, as well as a peaceful retreat for the owner. The deliberately dark and moody tones create a true sense of sanctuary. The choices in colour and texture, both inside and outside, are informed by the raw beauty of the coastline – as well as the aesthetic sensibility of the owner. At the heart of the open-plan living space is the unfussy kitchen.
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A narrow slot cuts through the ocean-facing front of the house, shielding the interior from environmental exposure while simultaneously framing views of surf, dunes and sky. It allows sunsets to be enjoyed over early evening cocktails and lingering dinners.
“The palette is restrained and tactile: charred timber, blackened steel and ceramics with a matt finish – all materials chosen for their durability and atmospheric depth,” says Tate.
“Together, they infuse the space with an intense stillness that feels grounded in Piha’s rugged spirit.” The dark and brooding presence of the beach house subverts the typical coastal vernacular and proposes an alternative: one that is introspective, tough, even confrontational – while still offering a haven of serenity and calm.
The bach won the 2025 Trends International Design Awards NZ Designer New Home of the Year.
In association with Trends. For more photos of this house, click here
