With a semicircle floorplan, Architect Belinda George’s Matapouri Rd House is a beautiful bach with a childhood connection that makes it a curve in exactly the right place. 

See more from this home: firstwindows.co.nz/circling-back

The gabled forms are much more than just roofs over their owners' heads. See more from this home: firstwindows.co.nz/peak-performers

Guided by passive solar and sustainability principles, this beach house is so at one with the environment, it’s like it’s as nature intended. Join architects Anna Farrow and Nick Officer in conversation with homestyle editor Alice Lines, then visit firstwindows.co.nz/dune-landing to read the story. 

The beautiful family beach house contains all the classic conveniences of a holiday home — but better. Listen to his interview with homestyle editor Alice Lines now, then visit firstwindows.co.nz/pushthelimits to see the story.

With cleverly conceived forms and lots of glass, his city-fringe Hamilton creation is smarter than many in terms of both form and function. Listen now, then visit firstwindows.co.nz/brain-boxes to see the story. 

A lot goes on behind closed doors, but stepping into this family home in Auckland’s Westmere reveals more than you might expect. Listen to how Tim Dorrington of Dorrington Atcheson Architects devised this surprising dwelling, then visit firstwindows.co.nz/bestkeptsecrets to see the story. 

Homestyle editor Alice Lines talks with architect Stuart Gardyne about how the Pinwheel House works its angles within the environment in an enclave of holiday homes at Medlands Beach. Listen now, then visit https://www.firstwindows.co.nz/WheelofFortune to see the story. 

Harriet Pilkington and Elvon Young of Young & Richard Architecture on their project just north of Auckland, a series of glass galleries that reveals its riches little by little. Listen now, then visit https://www.firstwindows.co.nz/riverhead to see the story. 

Join us at their riverside home in Hamilton, where a central pitched pavilion, cascading floors and extensive glazing make a major statement, and let in loads of light and green scenes. Listen now, then visit https://www.firstwindows.co.nz/this-is-us to see the story.

Robust materials hold their own against the elements at this Napier abode by Slessor Architects’ Nick Bevin. Hear how whopping great windows and sliding doors maximise the jaw-dropping view, then visit https://www.firstwindows.co.nz/out-in-the-open to see the story.