In the heart of Mt Maunganui, this award-winning home by JMAC Architecture delivers Palm Springs style with a Kiwi twist.

WORDS Cassie Doherty PHOTOGRAPHY Amanda Aitken Photography / Jahl Marshall/Media Masters

This easy-care new-build home has entertainment literally at its core. Designed by JMAC Architecture design director Jason Macdonald, the house centres around an oversized covered outdoor area that was especially designed with socialising in mind.

“They’re great entertainers,” says Jason of the homeowners, a couple with young adult children. “This was about really trying to create a home that felt like a resort for them.”

Having previously lived semi-rurally, the couple’s new home is ideally located within Mt Maunganui’s township, not far from the beach and walkable to cafes and local amenities. As avid travellers enjoying a new phase of life, they wanted a low-maintenance lock-up- and-leave home.

The contours of the site dictated the house’s form, says Jason. “The site drops down, so we’ve got split levels. It really dissects the building into three or four key zones and defines the use of those spaces.”

Further considerations, such as existing height restrictions, resulted in the streamlined profile. From that point, it was clear the home lent itself to an interpretation of a mid-century modernist style. “We pulled inspirational images from notable architects who established modern architecture in Palm Springs, but with a Kiwi approach.” The homeowners were attracted to this mid-century modern style, so they were fully on board.

Until recently they owned a building company, and had worked with Jason on previous client projects, meaning they brought a wealth of knowledge. “It was a very collaborative and cooperative process,” says Jason.

Covid-19 lockdowns saw some of the initial design brainstorming taking place through online meetings, with pencil sketches being held up to cameras to get ideas across. The location provided some challenges. “We were playing in a big sand pit,” notes Jason. “Being by the beach here, it was a sandy environment in terms of the foundation construction. We had quite significant engineered retaining around the site to ensure that neighbouring properties weren’t compromised. Then once that was established, we had a platform to begin the build.”

Palm Springs’ architectural language is characterised by sleek forms, clean lines, open floor plans and indoor-outdoor living. It has a minimal aesthetic with lots of glass, and natural materials like stone, timber and concrete, and white interiors and exteriors are often used to accentuate retro elements.

Here, Jason also chose white. “We almost went with a black palette as a Kiwiana interpretation but we’re thankful we didn’t. The white really reflects the coastal environment. It’s fresh, pure and crisp.”

The variety of materials used adds texture and movement to the monochrome, and striking vertical fin screens play a significant role in the exteriors. These help provide privacy, as the home adjoins a public reserve. They also add a modernist element, as well as some depth to the facade, creating ever-changing shadow lines as the sun moves around the house.

The pale stone cladding introduces an organic note. “We were able to source natural Te Kuiti limestone. It has those sandy hues through it, which reflects back to the white sand we have here at Mt Maunganui, so
it’s quite complementary. The planting also resonates with that coastal theme, and it was chosen to be hardy and low-maintenance. Those vibrant greens soften and contrast with the backdrop of the white home.”

Chelsey Mathieson of Niche Design Co designed the cabinetry throughout the home, including the kitchen and scullery, laundry, vanities and wardrobe, working closely with the architect and interior designer to ensure cohesion. The dark kitchen cabinetry is Laminex Timber Veneer in Mink Shadow and the benchtop is Corian in Cirrus White.

**A tailor-made approach**
The home’s coastal interior is by Twill Interiors in Papamoa. “It exudes timeless elegance, blending soft, natural textures with a serene colour palette,” says lead designer Jacqui Mitchell. “Thoughtfully designed spaces showcase the client’s cherished travel treasures and family memorabilia, creating a harmonious balance between sophistication and warmth, where every piece tells a story of adventure and heritage.”

Jason says the pool is one of his favourite features. While it required quite significant engineering to achieve, he says, the connection from the pool and terraced outdoor spaces to living and entertaining areas speaks volumes about the way this house works for its owners.

The flow and functionality were, of course, vital to the design of the home. For a large, open-plan entertainer’s delight, it’s still private and discreet. From the street front, you enter straight into the social living spaces, with a more intimate lounge space and a lower-level media room that accesses the pool. In between is an airy outdoor space with a louvred roof to accommodate any weather conditions, with barbecue, dining, seating and a fireplace. Upstairs, the bedrooms are a cosy retreat.

Practicality-wise, there’s another standout feature. “We positioned the double garage at the back of the section and there’s probably parking for another four or six cars. As you can imagine, at the Mount, car parking is at a premium. So we actually installed a car turntable on the driveway so no one has to reverse onto the street. It functions really, really well.”

Every aspect of the design pulls together to create exactly what the homeowners were after. “When they’re home, they feel like they’re still on holiday,” says Jason.

And the house is an award-winner, taking Regional and National accolades in the 2023 ADNZ Architectural Design Awards in the New Home over 300sqm category.

“We were very honoured and privileged, and the homeowners were pretty ecstatic as well,” says Jason. “When they’re not travelling, we’re always welcome to stop in and have a chat. It’s been such a success for them, as a really liveable home that they’re proud of. It makes quite an architectural statement and has become a landmark property in this area. For us, it ticks all the boxes.”