Located on the west coast of New Zealand, this project invites viewers inside a home surrounded by bush, ocean and mountain, revealing a residence grounded in place and emotion. Designed by Crosson Architects with interiors by Ko & Ko, the home is defined by both its immersive setting and thoughtful material expression. Nestled into the rolling hills of Taranaki with expansive views of the Tasman Sea and Mount Taranaki, the home was conceived as a spatial reflection of both heritage and belonging.
The architecture leans into the surrounding landscape through a distinct rhomboid form. Rather than a traditional rectangular layout, the geometry angles outward, offering near-panoramic views from the central living spaces. This configuration brings the horizon into the home – a spatial gesture that allows the natural context to take centrestage. Viewed from above, the form gently references the Brazilian flag – a nod to the client’s heritage – embedding a subtle layer of personal meaning within the building’s shape.
Inside a home surrounded by bush, ocean and mountain, the interiors were approached as an extension of the architecture, not a counterpoint. Ko & Ko’s palette is light, warm and soft, using materiality to mirror the ever-changing light and reflect the richness of the external views. At the heart of this palette is Copenhagen by Forté – a timber flooring selected for its tone and width, offering a creamy warmth without overpowering the other elements. The floor serves as the foundation from which a layered composition of stone, timber cladding and furnishings rises.
The interiors play with texture and light across each space. From unfilled travertine to a gloss marble in the kitchen, surfaces shift and respond to light throughout the day. These moments of variation are intentional – designed to draw attention to different aspects of the home as they reveal themselves slowly, never all at once. A central courtyard offers a surprising retreat within the building’s core – a space to connect with the outdoors in complete privacy, whether under the sun or stargazing at night.
Collaboration was fundamental to the project’s success. Crosson Architects and Ko & Ko worked closely with Forté and other partners to refine each design move through iterative exploration. The result is a home that doesn’t just sit within the land but belongs to it. The layered interiors, coupled with the architectural form, ensure that the experience of being inside a home surrounded by bush, ocean and mountain is both intimate and expansive.
As an architectural narrative, this project speaks to the value of design that listens – to its clients, to its setting and to its purpose. By inviting visitors inside a home surrounded by bush, ocean and mountain, the design not only showcases material beauty but reveals how deeply place can inform and elevate residential architecture. Each room holds a sense of intention, each detail a reflection of care.
Through this approach, the house becomes more than just a dwelling – it becomes a quiet observatory of the natural world, a deeply personal sanctuary and a lasting expression of place. In every sense, it is a project that honours the experience of being inside a home surrounded by bush, ocean and mountain.
00:00 – Introduction to a Home Surrounded by Bush, Ocean and Mountain
01:11 – The Place: Taranaki’s Landscape and Arrival
02:25 – Geometry and Form Inspired by Heritage
03:35 – Interior Warmth, Materials, and Light
06:05 – Exploring the Home and Courtyard Moments
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Photography by David Straight.
Architecture by Crosson Architects.
Interior design by Ko & Ko.
Build by Chris Bell Construction.
Flooring by Forté.
Filmed and edited by The Local Production.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Ōakura, New Zealand
The Local Project acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa New Zealand. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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