51 Okoka Road, Omiha

This award-winning home reveals itself quietly — a sculptural retreat shaped by land, light and texture. Designed by acclaimed Waiheke architect Vaughn McQuarrie and completed in 2022, the residence follows a striking triangular form that mirrors the sloping contours of its site. At its centre, a folded concrete spine anchors the architecture, from which a series of intimate spaces unfold with quiet precision. Inside, the atmosphere is tactile and deeply immersive. Textured strand board walls echo the rhythm of bark and branches beyond the windows, while raw oak floors, honed concrete and aged brass form a palette that feels elemental, warm and enduring. Large picture windows frame the surrounding canopy so closely that the forest becomes part of the interior experience. The sunken lounge forms the emotional heart of the home. Gathered around a sculptural wood burner, it is a space designed for stillness — where shifting light, the warmth of fire and the quiet movement of trees create a sense of calm rarely found in modern living. Nearby, the kitchen and dining area unfold with understated elegance. Oak cabinetry conceals integrated appliances while a brass island slowly develops a living patina, deepening with time and use. Glass doors open to tiered decks suspended within the bush, where indoor and outdoor living dissolve into one another. Though modest in scale at approximately 100m², the triangular plan reveals a carefully composed sequence of spaces — two peaceful bedrooms and a third flexible room imagined as a studio, guest retreat or place for creative work. At the centre, a deep green tiled bathroom sits within the concrete wall, cave-like and grounding. Celebrated internationally, the home was awarded HOME Magazine’s Living Space of the Year 2023, named Finalist for Small Home of the Year, and shortlisted for the Auckland Architecture Awards. More than a residence, this is a place of retreat — where architecture dissolves into nature and every space invites you to slow down, breathe, and reset. Contact Gianni Nocera and Chris Jones from New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty for more details....