When two parts create more than a whole

A spectacular coastal home by Cheshire Architects on Waiheke Island cleverly balances enclosure and sociability.

The stone wall at this Waiheke retreat mimics the gently winding gravel road that leads to its entrance. In an elegant, serpentine move, the wall reaches out of the western arrival point and climbs onto a knoll, holding back the spectacular view. The architect’s dual challenge was to design a retreat from the elements, yet celebrate the view – a task as confounding as if Thoreau’s cabin in the woods had notions about the Farnsworth house. The solution was the bifurcating stone wall, which divides public from private, view from retreat, pavilion from solidity. Click here for a virtual tour.

Photography by Sam Hartnett

Food & wine tour: Christchurch

In the face of adversity, this New Zealand city has rebuilt itself with community at its foundation – evident in its welcoming restaurants, wine bars and destination wineries.

Into the light

A faded mid-century gem by Allan Mitchener is gently
coaxed back to life in suburban Christchurch.

Stretch & grow

Architect Rich Naish taps into family heritage to extend
a character cottage in Christchurch.

True North

ASK A NEW ZEALANDER about their favourite beach and their response will inevitably be accompanied by “and it’s virtually deserted”. When it comes to beaches, we don’t do pebbles and we don’t do crowds – we prefer acres of sand all to ourselves. Just as well there’s no shortage of such places – here are 10 of the finest in the Far North.

Food tour: Lisbon

Portugal’s capital is rich in cultural and culinary class. Traditional fare sits alongside high-end dining, and ancient buildings line picture-perfect streets. When it comes to exceptional sojourns, this coastal city has it all.

Design destination: Beirut

Lebanon’s capital exemplifies the improbability of artistic survival against extreme odds. It’s a glorious mix of chaos and creative energy and it won’t be kept down.

Beirut food tour

Beirut is not a polished and predictable destination, it’s a thrilling culinary and cultural revelation. Immerse yourself in the many layers of this intriguing city and you’ll be richly rewarded.