Te Arai House

Nestled at the forest’s edge, where dunes give way to a world-class links golf course, this house is both embedded in the landscape and elevated in outlook. Balancing openness with privacy, it offers shelter and sanctuary while remaining deeply connected to its coastal setting.

Subtly bunkered into the site, the home unfolds as two interlocking chevron-shaped pavilions with elegantly upswept eaves. At the rear, a discreet yet generously scaled garage anchors the composition, while entry is choreographed as a passage between the pavilions. A boardwalk leads past a landscaped courtyard—a sheltered outdoor room with a fireplace, dining area and plunge pool with a ha-ha edge that preserves uninterrupted sightlines. The adjacent kitchen is strategically positioned for both hospitality and views over the nearby green and ocean views.

The organisation of public and private spaces is carefully balanced. Living areas oriented towards the course and coast embrace the openness of the site, while the accommodation wing steps up to the east, capturing the morning sun. Each bedroom is afforded a secluded terrace with private sightlines ensuring a sense of retreat for family and guests.

Bureaux’s role at Te Arai encompassed architecture, interior architecture and bespoke cabinetry design, allowing a seamless continuity of materials, tones and textures across all built elements. Craft and materiality are central to the unified aesthetic. The palette, inspired by the surrounding coastal terrain, is anchored by in-situ cast concrete tinted with warm oxide. Pre weathered boards extend from the exterior into the interior, transitioning into finely crafted joinery and natural stone elements. From a front door handle influenced by the land’s natural contours to bespoke bedheads, vanities and sculpted hardware, our custom-designed elements lend the home a quiet depth, cohesion and tactile richness to the home.


Photography by Sam Hartnett