| 89 T T Anne Boswell Enduring beachside appeal The design places the primary living areas and primary bedroom on the upper level to gain views to the sea. Julian Guthrie Architecture ARCHITECTURE Since its founding in 2000, Julian Guthrie Architecture has built a reputation for the simple, linear modernist architecture and beautiful natural materials as seen in its signature beach houses and holiday homes. This philosophy was central to one of the firm’s recent projects, Coromandel House, a beachside property created in collaboration with Holah Homes, which has been awarded a 2025 Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Award: Housing category. The clients had owned the Pauanui property for over a decade but as their family grew older – and partners and grandchildren were in sight – the need for a larger, more functional space became clear. The new house that would replace the older bach needed to accommodate the extended family while preserving the laid-back atmosphere that makes beach holidays special. “They wanted to keep its casual feel with space to pitch tents, so there is no garage and plenty of level grass,” Julian says. The design places the primary living areas and primary bedroom on the upper level to gain views to the sea, while the lower floor houses several guest bedrooms and a second living area. All spaces connect directly on to generous exterior deck spaces. The building combines low-maintenance materials of oiled cedar cladding with bagged concrete blockwork, both to the exterior and interior of the house. Slatted sliding timber shutters are used over bedroom windows to provide varying degrees of wind, light and privacy for each room. Although the roof form is flat, wide eaves splay out in a variety of angles, capturing the dramatic shapes of the adjacent hillside, and giving a sense of playfulness to the house. These aspects typify Julian’s design sensibility: contemporary homes with classic lines and enduring quality. “I’m always looking for new and creative solutions, while creating buildings that are enduring,” he says. “I also use robust materials and systems that can withstand the salt, sand and storms typical of coastal sites.” The project also benefitted from a close working relationship with Holah Homes, a Hamilton-based building company known for craftsmanship and precision. Despite challenges like Covid-19 disruptions and transport delays, the build was rewarding. “Holah Homes are real craftsmen,” Julian says. “The house has a lot of timber and unusual angles, and they did it well.” Interiors were handled by Turton Interiors, who delivered an elegant yet relaxed finish. Their careful selection of colours, furnishings and textures brought the project together, creating a warm and inviting home that still felt in harmony with its natural surroundings. The home’s success was underscored when it was awarded a 2025 Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Award – recognition that meant a great deal to Julian and his team. “It’s also a great reflection on the wider team – not only the architects, builders and designers, but also the clients. It acknowledges that their home has met a standard of excellence, confirming the appropriateness of the building on the site and recognising design thinking and quality.” We build medium to high end architectural homes in the waikato and coromandel We are a third generation family business run by three brothers Give us a call 07 855 7811 or 021 764 334 phil@holahhomes.nz :RESIDENTIAL :COMMERCIAL BUILDING MEDIUM TO HIGH-END ARCHITECTURAL HOMES A legacy of homes that are built to last lies at the heart of Holah Homes, a family-run building company that has been shaping the landscape of Waikato homes since 1962. Established by Clyde and Alan Holah, the company is now in the capable hands of the third generation: Grant, Marty and Phil. One of their recent achievements – a striking Coromandel home built to the design of architect Julian Guthrie - has won a 2025 Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Award. While Holah Homes typically operates in the Waikato region, they are no strangers to high-end coastal builds on the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel Home, a standout among these, was a labour of love that took more than two years to complete. Grant Holah led the construction on-site, while Marty oversaw project management and coordinated with the architect and client to bring the vision to life. Designed by Julian Guthrie and interior designer Bronwyn Turton, the home was intended to reflect a relaxed beach aesthetic while incorporating durability and minimalist sophistication. With a clever blend of exterior cladding and selective use of plasterboard, the home achieves a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. “The intention was to create a home that embodied a beach feel while being durable,” Phil says. “One area appears to connect with another; it looks like the exterior cladding flows into the inside of the house.” One of the home’s most eye-catching features is a towering two-storey block wall that runs from the entrance through to the living space, adding both texture and grandiosity. The home’s staircase was designed to mimic cedar but crafted from a more robust material, and timber elements throughout—including floors and custom feature lighting—add warmth and cohesion. “It all blends and coordinates,” Phil says. “We wanted to create something that was welcoming but was going to last the test of time.” The home’s master suite, located upstairs, enjoys sweeping coastal views while downstairs, two dedicated bedrooms and a bunkroom provide ample accommodation. Each floor has its own living area, although the main living room is on the first floor. One notable architectural characteristic is the use of concrete floors upstairs—a rarity in residential homes—which helps prevent sound transfer between levels. “Julian made a great decision to design the upstairs with concrete floors,” Phil says. “The thud of feet moving around upstairs won’t be an issue to those trying to sleep downstairs.” Despite challenges like material shortages and road closures during the build, Holah Homes persevered. “Truck deliveries were not able to get through the road closures so we had to load all the materials onto trailers,” Phil says. “It made for an interesting build.” What truly sets Holah Homes apart is its hands-on, personal approach. With all three brothers serving as directors and maintaining direct communication with clients, there are no communication blips. The company employs its own skilled team—including apprentices—avoiding contractors in favour of nurturing in-house talent. Their uncompromising ethos is “if it’s not right, we’ll pull it down and start again”. Holah Homes doesn’t just build houses—they craft homes built to last generations. Building excellence that stands the test of time
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