Built for the Elements

This striking coastal retreat on Manawātu’s black-sand shore combines barn-inspired architecture with a carefully chosen suite of durable Hardie™ fibre cement products.

Koitiata sits on the western edge of the North Island, where the Manawātu coast meets wind, salt and relentless weather. It’s a landscape of dark sand, coastal pines and big skies – dramatic and beautiful, but unforgiving on a building. When Daniel and Nicola decided to replace an old bach on their Koitiata section, they knew the new home would need to be both tough and boldly attractive.

Architect Ross Bennett of Sketch Project Architectural drew on the proportions of rural barn architecture to shape a home with real presence – a steep-pitched roofline that reads confidently against the open coastal sky. From every angle this beachside home is a masterclass in minimalist coastal design.

For the exterior cladding, the couple chose Oblique™ Weatherboard, painted in Resene Colorsteel FlaxPod – a deep, moody tone that anchors the home in its surroundings while standing up to the salt laden air and driving winds of the coast.

The profile’s contemporary character suits the barn-inspired form, giving the home a look that feels both of its place and built for the long term.

The home is designed to be lived in fully. Large stacker doors open directly to the landscape and the east-facing deck is a morning sun-trap, complete with an outdoor shower. On the west side, a log fire, pizza oven and macrocarpa pergola create a sheltered space for evenings. Sun or storm, there’s always somewhere to be outside.  

Inside, Hardie™ Groove Lining takes centre stage overhead. The cathedral ceiling – painted in Resene Half Black White draws the eye upward and fills the open-plan living space with a quiet grandeur. It’s a material choice that does double duty: delivering the visual warmth of a lined timber ceiling, while bringing the durability and stability that a coastal environment demands.

“Longevity was our number one priority,” says Daniel. “We chose Oblique™ Weatherboard and Hardie™ Groove Lining because they are designed to last in harsh environments, including coastal conditions.”

On a coast that tests every material it touches, that confidence is well founded. This modern interpretation of a barn is proof that the right products can build a home that holds its own against the elements and looks immaculate doing it.