A small seaside hill with a rugged coastline on one side and tall mountains on the other, a vantage point that lets you soak in the panoramic landscape and a gorgeous holiday home with an air of breezy elegance; the Castle Rock House in Auckland, New Zealand plays host to a truly memorable summer! Designed by Herbst Architects as a dedicated holiday home that is only used in summers, the lovely structure in stone and wood is open to the rugged landscape outside. With two covered platforms that hold the outdoor dining area, barbecue corner and a relaxing lounge, the emphasis here is firmly on the captivating views outside.

Part of the vacation retreat is built into the knoll, and this gives it natural ventilation while offering ample privacy. The bedrooms and the living area showcase this sensible balance between unabated views and undisturbed solitude, even as the extensive decks with large, swiveling wooden doors and slats allow you to enjoy the sights and sounds of a warm southern summer. Unique black stained rain-screen cladding gives the home its distinct look, and timber plays an important role in defining the cozy, inviting interior as well.

Wood also plays a pivotal role in the curated decor choices, as color is kept to a bare minimum inside the lovely escape. Of course, with such a spellbinding backdrop, one hardly needs any additional color to brighten the setting! The mature Pohutukawa tree next to the home and the distant islands turn the Castle Rock House into one of those picture-perfect getaways that New Zealand is renowned for across the globe. [Photography: Patrick Reynolds]