Island Bay House
BEACH HAVEN, AUCKLAND
Completed FEBRUARY 2020
Built over four years, this dream family home in Beach Haven was a true labour of love for Walls Studio duo, Alex and Corban—and marked Alex Walls’ first introduction into the world of interior design, earning a Gold Pin at the Best Design Awards in 2020.
Set on a steep and complex site, the project pushed every boundary—structural, creative and personal. The extended timeline became a blessing in disguise, allowing space for constant refinement and bold thinking. The result is a home that feels both architecturally strong and beautifully grounded in nature.
A calm, earthy interior palette runs throughout—thoughtfully designed to support the rhythm of real family life.
This project became a defining moment, setting the tone for what was to come from Walls Studio.
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To design a family home that felt connected to its dramatic, native bush surrounds while still feeling modern, calm, and enduring. Key focuses included:
Navigating a highly complex, steep site with extensive engineering needs
Designing open, flowing living spaces for connection and ease of family life
Using a natural, earthy interior palette with tactile, honest materials
Achieving a timeless aesthetic that would evolve with the family over time
Balancing architectural strength with warmth, softness and function throughout
Walls Studio was responsible for all design material decisions both exterior and interior.
Alex and Corban both designing custom details at every corner, from bathroom vanities, to custom designed stair balustrades. Every corner of this home was designed with extreme care and detail by the Walls Studio duo.
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Walls Studio worked alongside these key partners of this project:
BUILDSTRONG; Our builders who were masters of their trade. Ben Cvitanovich of Buildstrong had his team on this build, with Corban Walls project managing.
Laminex, supply of Melteca kitchen cabinetry and Laminam Benchtops
Blum, supply of kitchen hardware
Vidaspace, supply of Engineered timber flooring
Dulux, supply of Paint and Dryden’s Wood Oil
Rosenfeld Kidson, supply of Cedar
Bremworth NZ, supply of carpets
PDL Schneider, supply of Electrical switchgear
Collins Plumbing
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The Island Bay House Design was awarded at the Best Design Awards of 2020
Gold Pin for Interior Architectural Design
Silver pin for Architectural Design
The Project was featured on the front cover of HOMESTYLE magazine, April/May 2020 issue.
