Beach Hut is a tiny home nestled on a gently sloping Coromandel coastal site surrounded by an ancient forest of mature Pohutukawa. From its elevated position there are wide coastal views over an isolated surf break providing a contrast to the forest setting. This tiny home was designed to increase the capacity of an existing bach on site to allow the clients (a young family) and their friends to inhabit the site in a relaxed and informal manner.

Beach Hut was conceived as a simple timber box with a secondary mezzanine form to create a sleeping platform. Shutters and canopies notionally open and close the timber box to provide both shade and weather protection. A small bathroom allows it to be used completely independently of the existing bach.

This home was constructed off site on a tiny house trailer utilising steel stud framing. Beach Hut was then towed to its site and located on simple foundations. The “pop top”, deck, screens and canopies all clip on allowing for ease of transportation while expanding its functionality during use.

Photography © Ross Keane

NZIA Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Award Winner - 2023 - Small Project