Karaka Lakes, Auckland

With its clean lines and crisp angles, this impressive five bedroom, three bathroom family home is a light-filled haven with generous, well-considered spaces. Polished concrete anchors the entrance and ground floor, with a floating timber tread staircase leading to carpeted living upstairs. The downstairs lounge features a horizontal cedar wall with fireplace, perfect for cosy winter evenings. The kitchen and open-plan living connect to a large tiled patio via stacker slider doors. A louvred roof allows for all-weather barbecuing and entertaining. Full-height joinery encases the kitchen, spliced by a splashback window. The extensive use of glass in this home not only aids the abundance of natural light, but also creates an intimate connection with the world outside its walls.