The property was purchased in 2019 by a Wellington couple who were looking to create a holiday house for themselves and their children, and a meeting place for extended family and friends.

They wanted a house that was easy to come and go from, to lock and leave, with good storage and spaces that worked for both small and large groups of people. They were also conscious of the weather conditions at Riversdale, which can be incredibly beautiful, but also rugged.

The house is designed with an L shaped main level that wraps around a north facing sheltered courtyard, opening off the main living space and bedroom. This level sits upon a large flexible and openable ‘under croft’, which can be used as a garage, for storage or games area. Across the far side of this and accessed separately to the main house are 2 more bedrooms a bathroom, and main laundry.

Riversdale Beach Resort was created by Basil Bodle in the 1950’s, who had a vision of creating a relaxed European style resort, full of playfulness and colour, with many country’s flags flying and flowers lining the streets. Not much remains of this today, apart from the street layout, some original houses and bright flowering plants in the dunes. We wanted to sample a little of this original enthusiasm in the shape and colour of the new house.

Photography by Paul McCredie