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.

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.