PHOTO: Hidden amongst ancient pōhutukawa trees and overlooking the lush native canopy rolling down to the sea, New Zealand’s most serene home isn’t just a residence — it’s a way of being.
📍 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand
📐 Design by: Elmore Booth Studio
🌱 Landscape: Xanthe White
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🏡 A House That Breathes With the Land
Hidden amongst ancient pōhutukawa trees and overlooking the lush native canopy rolling down to the sea, New Zealand’s most serene home isn’t just a residence — it’s a way of being. Designed by Elmore Booth over a decade-long collaboration with the owners, this Waiheke Island sanctuary is a masterclass in stillness, connection, and slow living.
🔍 Key Features That Make This Home Extraordinary
✅ Built for Presence, Not Prestige
What began as an off-grid hut evolved — mindfully — into a fully immersive architectural retreat. This slow, intentional approach allowed the land to speak first.
✅ Natural Anchor Walls Guide and Hold the Home
Gently skewed parallel walls respond to the site’s contours, subtly directing movement while holding the home in quiet dialogue with its surroundings.
✅ Minimal Yet Rich Material Palette
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Dark volcanic stone
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Warm, aged timber
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Earth-toned finishes
This trio creates a tactile warmth and textural depth rarely seen in modern builds.
✅ Designed for Two, Flexible for Family
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Main level: open-plan kitchen, dining, living for the couple
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Lower level: private guest accommodation
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Built-in window seats, courtyard gardens & a hot tub for relaxation and hosting
✅ Landscape Integration by Xanthe White
Native plantings blend seamlessly into the home’s edges, reinforcing the balance of nature and shelter.
✅ Immersive Interior Flow
Every space — from curved tiles to softened corners — encourages slow, fluid movement and mindful connection.
🧘♀️ Why It’s Being Called the Most Serene Home in New Zealand
This isn’t just a house. It’s a residential meditation—each wall, deck, and path choreographed to foster connection:
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🌿 Connection to land
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🌞 Connection to light
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💬 Connection to self & others
Interior spaces open onto sheltered decks, layered courtyards, and garden walkways that allow for seamless transitions between interior peace and exterior wonder. The pier deck offers cinematic views of the bay — a place where time slows, and presence deepens.