92 | Timeless, innovative architecture The Waihi Beach House renovation has resulted in a timber-clad home that harmonises with its coastal environment. Mod Architecture Ltd Bernadette Cooney ARCHITECTURE “All the factors and materials that go into a house should allow it to sit within its surroundings and feel like it is supposed to be there.” With a focus on timeless and innovative architecture, Tauranga’s Mod Architecture is a boutique architectural design firm delivering highquality residential new builds and bespoke renovations – transforming how clients experience home. Director Andrew Ward, a registered architect with over 20 years of experience in New Zealand and abroad, established Mod Architecture in 2008. The firm serves the Western Bay of Plenty and Waihi Beach regions, offering carefully considered home design and custom renovations. Andrew’s passion for architecture began with a love of technical drawing and creating things in school. This led him to pursue a Diploma of Architecture in 2002. After working in the field, he supplemented his experience with further studies, ultimately becoming a registered architect. Practice member of the NZ Institute of Architects (NZIA) and professional member of Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) Andrew says registered architects are held to a high standard and are more in tune with better outcomes for clients. Andrew approaches each project with a client specific focus and a deep understanding of the site. He emphasises understanding the site’s topography, elevation, sun orientation, and prevailing winds to create homes that blend seamlessly with their surroundings. “All the factors and materials that go into a house should allow itto sit within its surroundings and feel like it is supposed to be there.” One notable example is a Waihi Beach House renovation. A two-storey timber-clad home that harmonises with its coastal environment. The mid-level reconstruction reimagined the house’s orientation and materiality, resulting in a structure that integrates with the natural landscape and weathers beautifully over time. “This was an existing house reconstructed from the mid floor level and reimagined in terms of its aspect out the beach and its materiality,” Andrew recalls. “It feels like it’s in place amongst the tussock grasses of the sand dunes with natural toned timbers that weather with time to really take on that driftwood effect.” Another example of Mod Architecture’s versatility is Andrew’s take on a contemporary farmhouse in Te Puna. The extensive renovation featured large volumes, high vaulted ceilings, tall windows for abundant natural light, and a wraparound veranda providing weather protection. In urban settings, Mod Architecture has transformed a 1980s double-story brick house in Tauranga into a modern home with clever window placements, an open-plan interior, polished timber floors, and a white-on-white interior colour scheme. A dramatic but budget conscious new build is Whakatane house on a hillside section. “This uses square and rectangle form and metal cladding with some cedar cladding in your eyeline, which helps soften it up from the inside,” says Andrew who credits his technical drawing background for coming up with economical solutions. Mod Architecture boasts an impressive portfolio of successful projects including Tauranga’s award-winning Te Puna Kindergarten which won the education category of the Regional NZIA Awards for Waikato-Bay of Plenty in 2022 and a highly commended in the commercial category of the ADNZ Awards, the same year. Mod Architecture’s work, characterised by clever and thoughtful design, continues to set a high standard in residential architecture.
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