| 85 Julian Guthrie Architecture: Wawata House ARCHITECTURE COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL Tiling Services Commercial Tiling • Residential Tiling Waterproofing • Screed / Deck Jack Underfloor Heating 021916168 info@damngoodtiling.co.nz www.damngoodtiling.co.nz Ace Air Conditioning has been providing Heating & Cooling Solutions to Auckland Homes since 1980. Specialising in Central Ducted Solutions for architecturally inspired homes. Whether renovating or building a new home we will work closely with you to design a heating & cooling System that will provide total comfort, discreet grille solutions and controls to suit your home and budget. NEVER RETURN TO A COLD HOME AGAIN 09-379 8301 enquiries@aceair.co.nz www.aceair.co.nz Central Ducted Heating & Cooling Systems | Hot Water Heatpumps Underfloor Heating | Heat Recovery Ventilation T T Anne Boswell Island getaway home wins awards The house straddles a steep narrow site, providing panoramic coastal views to the northwest, and rural and bush views to either side. Creating a home for his own family has proved both a personal milestone and professional highlight for architect Julian Guthrie, with his Waiheke Island home, Wawata House, shortlisted in the 2026 Auckland Architecture Awards. Julian says the project began as an idea in 2020. “In the depths of the Covid lockdown, when we couldn’t go anywhere, we decided we needed a weekend house,” Julian says. “We were inspired to look around Waiheke Island, but none of the existing houses excited us. We decided it was a great opportunity to buy land and build.” The family purchased a coastal site, part of a former farm that had been subdivided, and embarked on a design journey. From the outset, the brief was a home that would meet family needs, make the most of the dramatic coastal setting and remain achievable within a defined budget. The house straddles a steep narrow site, providing panoramic coastal views to the northwest, and rural and bush views to either side. A public walkway extends down the eastern boundary, with associated privacy effects. This takes form as a long concrete wall, both structurally and metaphorically a buttress to the hill, from which a delicate glass pavilion is suspended facing the sea. “Concrete was a material I was keen to explore the use of. We also used a lot of glass to take advantage of the views to the north,” Julian says. Entry and sleeping zones are positioned above, with the operable glass walls screened by a sliding veil of timber shutters, providing infinitely variable light, breeze and privacy. The shutters form an exacting grid to the home, and a playful element of movement and transparency. A suspended stair leads down to an open living terrace, stone floors extending out into intimate courtyard spaces. Utilities are seamlessly integrated with almost nautical efficiency. With a variety of materials used — such as insitu concrete, dark-oiled timber, stone and limewashed wood — the result is a home that embodies a sense of calm, tactile comfort and immersion in nature. Construction was completed by James Bros Ltd, with cabinetry by Johannes Erren Cabinetmakers and stonework by SCE Stone and Design — longstanding collaborators in Julian’s practice. Completed late 2025, the property is still undergoing further landscaping work but is already a much-loved space to relax and where family can converge and connect. Julian says that while every project he undertakes is high-quality and personally significant, it was especially rewarding to see his own home recognised at the NZIA Auckland Architecture Awards. The house also recently won Home Magazine’s Coastal House of the Year award. “Winning an award from the NZIA is a special honour, knowing our project has been judged by our peers and recognised for its design excellence amongst many other outstanding projects,” he says. “It’s also recognition of the wider team involved: our team of architects, along with the engineers and builders.” Once again, Julian’s signature design approach — contemporary homes with timeless lines and enduring quality — has been recognised for its excellence.
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