THE PERFECT KIWI BACH

South African-born husband and wife duo, Nicola and Lance Herbst of Herbst Architects, are masters of the Kiwi bach, like this one on Great Barrier Island, pictured above. It all started with the design of their own bach on Great Barrier Island when they moved to New Zealand 18 years ago.

What is the formula for a great Kiwi beach house? Nicola says the arrangement of the bach should celebrate all the daily rituals of being on holiday: cooking, relaxing, bathing, lighting a fire. The material palette should be natural and suitable for sea spray environments – wood, unfinished steel, stainless steel or stone from a local quarry.

NICOLA HERBST’S TOP PICKS TO INCLUDE IN A BACH DESIGN:

1. A covered outdoor space: It’s where you spend all your time on holiday. We use hinged screens to temper the wind. 2. A wood fire: For fireside yarns. 3. An outdoor shower: Or at least a semiexternal bathing space. Nature and nudity go well together. 4. A two-person hammock, preferably from Brazil: The best space for afternoon reading. 5. A good sound system: You always need background music in summer. 6. A foot bath: For sandy feet. See more at herbstarchitects.co.nz