Courtyard House
Taupō district · Residential · New build
Gold Award — Master Builders House of the Year 2025, Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau
Courtyard at duskIntegrated pergola, courtyard and landscape lighting extends the architecture into the evening.
The electrical and lighting design for Courtyard House was developed to work seamlessly with the home’s timber interiors, strong architectural lines and expansive lake views. Rather than competing with the architecture, the lighting was carefully integrated to emphasise material, form and atmosphere throughout the home.
In the kitchen and dining areas, slim linear pendants create a clean architectural line above the island and dining spaces, while recessed LED lighting follows the joinery to provide a softer layer of illumination and highlight the warmth and texture of the timber cabinetry. The concealed lighting was planned as part of the joinery itself, allowing the fittings and wiring to disappear into the architecture.
In the living areas, feature pendants were selected to suit the scale and geometry of each space. A sculptural drum pendant sits beneath the timber-lined ceiling, drawing attention to the changing ceiling height and creating a warm focal point after dark. Carefully positioned recessed lighting provides the functional layer of light without interrupting the simplicity of the ceiling.
The electrical layout was coordinated around the open-plan interior, cabinetry, glazing and furniture placement, ensuring switches, outlets and lighting controls were positioned where they were needed while remaining visually discreet. Particular attention was given to the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, with electrical and lighting points planned to support the large opening doors, decks and entertaining areas.
Outside, lighting continues through the courtyard, pergola and landscaped areas. Subtle architectural and garden lighting picks up the structure of the home and extends the interior atmosphere beyond the glass, creating depth around the building without overpowering the night environment.
The result is a layered lighting scheme that moves from practical task lighting during the day to a softer, more atmospheric setting in the evening — highlighting the timber, joinery, architecture and views while keeping the electrical installation clean and understated.
In detail
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