Matuku Moana is a home shaped less by a formal brief, and more by evolving circumstance and intuition. The designers and clients, Jeremy of Studio Brick Architects and his wife Anna, collaborated on the exterior and interior where experimentation, fun and technical refinement took precedence.

Describing the brief, Jeremy said, “Over a couple of years the brief evolved on an as-needed basis as our family grew (+one), and the design was refined as we toyed around with emotive design”.

Jeremy, who founded his practice in 2019, saw the project as an opportunity to further define his aesthetic: crisp, clean detailing balanced by a tactile love of timber. Anna, who works in hospitality and is no stranger to vibrant public spaces, envisioned a home that felt calm, yet full of life. Together, they designed a home that reflects both their lifestyle and design aesthetic — each space carefully composed through curated materials, vintage finds, and expressive structural elements.

The 60-square-metre footprint is compact and constrained by a flood plain. Raised on a platform and clad in vertical corrugated steel, the building’s warm timber interior peeks through full-height sliders, which accentuate the verticality of the structure. Inside, the home is defined by a deliberate spatial duality: a light, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area downstairs — designed for gathering and sharing space — contrasted by dark, moody, and private bedrooms above.

Matuku Moana has a deeply considered approach to materiality. The kitchen features a rainbow onyx splashback, a centrepiece that elevates the space. Stainless steel benches, a freestanding aluminium island and bespoke chopping boards speak to Anna’s passion for hospitality. The kitchenware displayed on the aluminium island follows the style of the living room, where personal trinkets and thrifted decorations fill the repurposed Lundia shelving.

Jeremy says, “The interiors are simple and seamless at first glance. Upon closer inspection the level of detail and thought becomes more apparent.”

Upstairs, the tone shifts. Jeremy and Anna avoided reliance on stark contrasts or sterile minimalism to separate public and private; instead, they used form, texture and a restrained palette to create a quiet retreat. Inspired in part by hunting sheds, the upper level layers personal artwork and heirlooms with burgundy carpet, moody lighting, and plywood wall panels. The angular structure of the gable roof reinforces the sense of enclosure and privacy.

Downstairs, larger kitchen windows invite daylight and garden views, creating a bright, open atmosphere. A feature frosted windows in the living room — typically used to prevent the outside world looking in — is employed to stop those inside looking out. The effect draws focus inward to the surrounding open living room. Upstairs, smaller windows shape darker, more private spaces. 

In the powder room, a repurposed rimu bench and basin are paired with the project’s most personal item: a rearview mirror that once belonged to Anna’s late father. In the bathroom and laundry, full-height Winkelman tiles, terrazzo floors, and stainless steel fittings meet the functional needs of a young family while continuing the refined aesthetic.

The result of Jeremy and Anna’s collaboration is a home that feels both crafted and lived-in — a blend of family memory, playful experimentation, and technical precision.

Makutu Moana was a Residential House finalist in the 2025 Interior Awards.
See the live presentation from Jeremy and Anna here.