Shift House by Studio2 Architects

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In the Coromandel, a home with a humble profile and a thoughtful design makes the most of a stunning location.

Architecture is invariably an answer to a question, a problem to be solved. In the case of this project — a beachfront Whangamatā bach — the question was environmental: how do you maximise a narrow site in a harsh coastal location and make the most of the land and the sun but not the wind?

Paul Clarke’s answer was to create a single-level, U-shaped home with considered interior and exterior zones. “It’s important to connect to the sun and view, to have morning sun where you want to dine, midday sun for outdoor dining at lunchtime, and evening sun to see the sun go down with a wine,” says the founder of Studio2 Architects. “From a heating and cooling perspective, you want as much sun in it as you can in the winter, less in the summer — a happy medium.”