Set high above Tauranga Harbour, our Welcome Bay Residence was conceived as a home that lives lightly on its site — flowing naturally down the hillside, oriented perfectly to the north and northwest to capture sunlight, shelter from prevailing winds, and open fully to the panoramic views.

From the outset, the design responded closely to our client’s brief for a spacious single-level family home with generous proportions, seamless indoor–outdoor living, and a strong connection to the landscape. The result is a home that feels open, balanced, and intuitively aligned with its surroundings.

Design Response

The concept embraces the contours of the land, stepping gently with the slope to create a natural sense of movement through the spaces. The architecture has been carefully planned to extend across the width of the site, ensuring every room enjoys a connection to the view and natural light.

At the heart of the home is a large open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area, designed for both family life and entertaining. This central space features dramatic high-sloped ceilings, capturing light and volume while enhancing the sense of openness. The rest of the home maintains a generous 2.7-metre stud height, creating a consistent feeling of scale and comfort throughout.

A large island bench, butler’s pantry, and full-height glazing connect the interior to the outdoor living terrace, complete with a wrap-around deck and pool. A covered outdoor area provides year-round shelter, extending the living space seamlessly to the landscape.

Private zones radiate from the main living area, including a master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite, three large double bedrooms, a media lounge, and a discreet study nook — all designed to balance privacy and flow.

Energy Efficiency and Performance

A key priority for both our client and design team was to create a high-performance, energy-efficient home — as close to Passive House certification as possible. Through detailed energy modelling, we optimised insulation, glazing ratios, and airtightness to achieve outstanding results.

While not formally certified, the final blower door test recorded 0.87 ACH (air changes per hour) — an extraordinary outcome for a timber-framed home, reflecting precision in both design and construction. The home’s orientation, building envelope, and ventilation strategy together deliver year-round comfort and exceptional energy performance.