Hidden Piha refuge

Nestled on the slopes of Piha, this home offers superb indoor and outdoor spaces, writes Erin Boyle.

AMERICAN ARCHITECT Frank Lloyd Wright said that when building on a hillside ‘‘a house should be seen as being of the hill and not on the hill’’.

So 15 years ago, when architect Peter Joyce and partner Shelley France found the perfect place on Piha hill to create their new home, they were conscious of the fact that the house would be a relatively significant structure on the landscape and made sure they took measures to minimise its visual impact.

‘‘We were looking for somewhere that would take advantage of views to the coast and the surrounding ranges as well as being north facing and, after searching around the valley area, we discovered this site, with all the qualities we desired, from a small broken sign in the gorse and scrub, halfway up the Piha hill.

‘‘But because of its location and the fact that it was going to be quite large to accommodate our family and at-home working environments, we designed it so it would settle into the steep slope of the site, and then had it constructed of materials that would ensure it was as inconspicuous as possible.’’

Next on the ‘‘to-do’’ list was Shelley’s desire to create a landscaped site, appropriate to the setting, which also incorporated an area for a generously sized vegetable plot. So from a bare hill covered in gorse, scrub and about three trees, Shelley’s dedication has seen the outdoor environment turned into a terraced, landscaped and mature micro environment with formal and natural garden elements that shelter the house in periods of wild coastal weather and obscure it within the wider landscape – while still allowing views to the beach, coast and ranges.

When it comes to enjoying time at home, both Shelley and Peter love spending time growing vegetables for themselves as well as family and friends, and are always developing and modifying the ever changing garden landscape. But when it is time to retreat indoors, both have their own favourite spot when seeking the right outlook.

‘‘Shelley loves the kitchen, dining, family area which allows a vista out to the sea and hills at all times which is ideal when entertaining friends,’’ Peter says.

‘‘However I really like the very large sunny office space that provides direct views to Lion Rock and is a great place to check out the beach and surf conditions – it is pretty much every surfers dream.’’

Because of the spectacular scenery on offer, the house is long, narrow and excavated into the slope of the hillside so that every living space faces due north for both solar access and to capture the sea and Waitakere Ranges.

Upstairs at the eastern end is the office space over the garage and the master bedroom with en suite bathroom.

Downstairs is the kitchen/dining/ family room and main living room