Anzac Bay House: Inspired by the Village Square with a Church!

Remember the image of beautiful and busy village square with the imposing church at its heart and other smaller shops and homes all around it? Attempting to replicate this nostalgic setting and translating it to the contest of the modern home is the gorgeous Anzac Bay House in Anzac Bay, Waiheke, New Zealand. Overlooking the bustling bay area in the distance, the lovely home has a striking skillion roof and a large open plan living area with helical stairs on opposite ends. Designed by Vaughn McQuarrie, a wall of glass connects the living are of the home on the lower level and the bedroom and home office on the mezzanine level with the view outside.

Modern-home-inspired-by-the-design-of-a-church-at-city-center — Modern home inspired by the design of a church at city center

Window-brings-the-outdoors-into-the-bedroom-217x155

Spiral-staircase-leads-to-the-top-level-of-the-spacious-level-217x155

Apart from the lovely views that it offers, the mezzanine level of the house is a space-saver with a comfortable master suite on one end and a spacious home office on the other. With the series of sliding glass doors, windows and glazed walls welcoming in ample natural light, there is never a dull corner here! On the lower level it is the double-height living area that steals the show with kitchen and dining on one side and an elegant sitting area on the other. Litecrete precast concrete panels and wooden ceiling and partitions offer ample textural contrast in a modern home that is both cheerful and polished. [ Photography: Simon Devitt]

Chandelier above the dining room brings dazzling charm to the interior

Contemporary-fireplace-in-the-sitting-with-access-to-the-garden — Contemporary fireplace in the sitting with access to the garden

Wall-of-glass-windows-and-doors-opens-up-the-interior-to-the-view-outside — Wall of glass windows and doors opens up the interior to the view outside

Windows-on-the-upper-level-also-bring-in-ample-natural-light — Windows on the upper level also bring in ample natural light

Kitchen-and-sitting-area-with-mezzanine-level-above — Kitchen and sitting area with mezzanine level above

View-of-the-double-height-living-area-from-the-mezzanine-level — View of the double height living area from the mezzanine level

The layout of the structures on the site has created a “lane” down the side which engages with an old stone wall on the adjacent property. The lane leads to a large entry door on the side of the main space. The door is directly adjacent to the helical stair and below a walkway linking the two mezzanine platforms.