| 87 D.Y.A Design ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN T T Karen Phelps Striking home makes most of site The contemporary two-level home feels embedded within its environment. “This project was about creating a home that feels calm, grounded and connected to nature as well as being functional for everyday living.” A striking new home overlooking the native bush and coastline of Long Bay is showcasing the thoughtful, site-responsive design approach of Auckland-based practice D.Y.A Design. “It’s one of the longest projects we have undertaken. High quality build takes time so it’s very rewarding to see it finally take shape,” says founder of D.Y.A Design Dingle Yang. Located within a boutique subdivision in Ridgelea Road and set within a semi-rural coastal environment, the brief called for a contemporary family home for a family of four, with flexible spaces for guests and extended family. Dingle says the site presented both opportunity and challenge. More than half of the steep, irregular section is covered in established native bush, with a dramatic level change from the driveway down to a valley below. Rather than imposing a structure onto the land, the design works with these constraints, positioning the home along an elevated, linear platform to minimise disturbance and preserve the surrounding vegetation. “We believe architecture is a significant device to engage environment, people, context and identity,” says Dingle. “This project was about creating a home that feels calm, grounded and connected to nature as well as being functional for everyday living.” The result is a contemporary two-level home that feels embedded within its environment. The upper level aligns with the driveway, providing practical access to the garage, entry and private bedroom spaces. From there, the design unfolds as a carefully choreographed sequence. According to Dingle the arrival is intentionally restrained, leading into a dramatic double-height foyer where a fully glazed façade reveals sweeping views across the bush valley toward Long Bay Beach and the ocean beyond. “This moment of transition from compression to openness is central to the experience of the house.” A sculptural floating staircase connects the upper level to the lower floor, reinforcing a sense of movement through the home. Below, the main living spaces are partially set into the slope, enhancing both thermal performance and visual integration with the landscape. Open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas flow seamlessly outdoors, while a separate guest suite allows flexibility for extended family or visitors. Dingle says a defining feature of the property is the swimming pool, positioned at the edge of the building platform. “The pool acts as a threshold between the built form and the steep valley beyond. It visually extends the horizon and softens the transition between architecture and landscape,” he says. Material selection also played a key role in achieving the desired aesthetic. “We wanted to create a modern look and used STO on the upper level of the house for a clean-lined white finish. The restrained material palette and crisp geometric forms allow the landscape to remain the dominant visual element, while lighting supplied by EAGO Lighting further enhances the home’s architectural expression.” Since founding the practice in 2017, Dingle has steadily grown D.Y.A Design into a studio recognised for its thoughtful residential architecture and pragmatic approach to development. The North Shore-based practice continues to deliver a diverse range of projects, from bespoke homes and boutique subdivisions to larger-scale greenfield developments. Its flexible, down-to-earth approach, combined with a strong focus on design quality and careful budget management, has underpinned the studio’s growth. D.Y.A Design currently has a number of projects underway.
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