Placed on the dunes of New Zealand’s idyllic Coromandel Peninsula, Hut on Sleds by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects makes the most of its 430 square feet. Despite its petite stature, the timber-clad cabin is a relaxing retreat for a family of five, framing picturesque beach views.

Given that the Coromandel beach site lies within a coastal erosion zone where all buildings must be removable, the New Zealand–based architects have designed the home to rest on two thick wooden sleds, which allows for easy movement—whether it be back inland or across the beach and onto a barge.

With a brief from the clients requesting a small, simple, and functional design, the team have created the home to enable the family to explore the real essence of holiday living. “The normal rituals of daily life—cooking, dining, sleeping, and showering—are all connected to the outside,” explains the firm. “Within, every available space is used: there are even secret cubby holes in the children's bunks.”

A large, two-story shutter on the front facade opens up to reveal double-height, steel-framed glass doors, which instantly creates an intimate indoor/outdoor connection with spectacular seaside views.

When not in use, the holiday retreat can be completely closed up, protecting the structure against the elements. The home’s rough macrocarpa cladding blends harmoniously into the landscape.

The building's modest size and primary use of timber cladding embodies the client's desire for sustainability. "Apart from food delivery and non-recyclable waste removal, the hut functions as a self-sustaining organism with rain-catchment tanks, a worm-tank waste system, and separate potable and gray-water tanks," describes the firm.

Related Reading: 10 Breezy Bachs That’ll Have You Running to the Beach

Project Credits:

Architects: Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects

Contractor: D.F. Wight Builders Ltd.

Engineering: CMR Engineers Ltd.

Photographer: Simon Devitt / @simon_devitt