Roberts Gray Architects completes rammed-earth Double Courtyard House on New Zealand sand dune

New Zealand studio Roberts Gray Architects has completed Double Courtyard House, a coastal home atop a sand dune in Te Arai near Auckland. The low-slung rammed-earth volumes wrap two contrasting courtyards—one shaded with ferns, the other open with large rocks—responding to the dual nature of the site bordered by pine forest and expansive coastal views. The southern bedroom volume features a hip roof and dark timber glazing, while the northern flat-roofed social area opens to sea breezes via sliding glass doors. A figure-of-eight plan connects the pavilions. Robust materials include rammed earth walls, sandblasted concrete floors, and bead-blasted steel kitchen elements. Co-founder Nick Roberts described the design as departing from conventional coastal homes that prioritize the horizon, instead creating a sheltered yet continuous relationship with the landscape. Photography by Samuel Hartnett.