167A Huia Street, Waikanae

High above Waikanae, Echo House is an award-winning home of exceptional design, occupying a private hillside position with sweeping views towards the ocean and Kapiti Island. One of only 10 homes in the Wellington region built to PassivHaus standards, its performance credentials are impressive, but first and foremost, this is a beautiful home, sitting quietly within its surroundings, slung low into the hillside and softened by earthy cedar cladding and thoughtful landscaping.

From the moment you enter, the outlook takes centre stage. A hallway runs the length of the home, leading to a spacious open-plan kitchen and dining area, where extensive glazing draws in natural light and frames the landscape beyond. The kitchen is complemented by a substantial butler’s pantry, while a soaring recessed cavity door allows the generously proportioned family room to become part of the wider living space or simply closed away when something more intimate is called for.

Large sliding doors open to the deck, and landscaped gardens, extending the living outdoors and providing a remarkable vantage point from which to watch the sun set. On the opposite side of the home, a beautifully considered courtyard with outdoor kitchen offers a more sheltered setting for entertaining. Cleverly positioned glazing maintains the connection between the two sides, allowing views through the home towards the ocean and Kapiti Island beyond.

Accommodation comprises two bedrooms, both positioned to make the most of the outlook. The master is a beautifully resolved retreat, with bespoke cabinetry and a contemporary ensuite with underfloor heating. An office nook, separate laundry and an abundance of carefully considered storage add to the ease of everyday living.

Behind the architecture sits an equally considered approach to performance. Deep eaves, striking geometries, triple glazing and a Zehnder ventilation and heat recovery system are among the elements that contribute to its PassivHaus certification, delivering exceptional energy efficiency, air quality and year-round comfort without compromising the integrity of the design.

There is a quiet confidence to Echo House. Architecturally accomplished and technically impressive, yet warm, private and remarkably easy to live in, it is a home that feels removed from the world below.

Echo House is somewhere to arrive, exhale, and simply stay.