Te Arai

Shortlisted: 2026 NZIA Auckland Architecture Awards

Published: The Local Project, Issue 20

Beach House
Te Arai, Aotearoa
New Zealand
Status_Built

Two rammed earth pavilions emerge from the dunes at Te Arai.

The intersecting pavilions combine hip and flat roof forms, hint at the contrasting qualities contained within. This subtle play of opposites is resolved through considered detailing where the pavilions interface: thick roof meets thin, and solid wall receives operable.

That precision is gently undone by the controlled abrasion of key materials - revealing qualities beyond an otherwise pristinely finish: the loose ramming of earth, the sandblasting of concrete, and bead-blasting of steel combine to create a house that is both composed and relaxed.

This relaxed atmosphere extends to the planning where the weather-line shifts back and forth from under the roof edge. A carport replaces the garage, and at the entry a breezeway substitutes for a hallway. The end of this entry passage marks the point of intersection between the two pavilions, and a moment of pause where the distinct qualities of each pavilion can be appreciated.

The rear courtyard of the bedroom wing is organised around an opening in the hip roof which draws focussed light onto tree ferns and ground cover. The cooler air, smell, and filtered light prepare the transition to the bedrooms, offering relief from the brightness and exposure outside.

By contrast, the front pavilion contains the social functions of the house. Here, sliding screens and doors all recess into walls, creating a sense of continuity with the broader coastal landscape. The courtyard in this area contains a series of large flat rocks for lounging on loose furniture, while deep overhangs to the north provide much needed protection and covered outdoor dining. On a calm day, this part of the house feels like a large outdoor room.