No Stone Unturned
2026 NKBA Excellence in Design Awards showcase
Photography Jackie Meiring
Winner, Supreme Kitchen Design Award
It was the wide sea views from this new-build home on an elevated rural site north of Auckland that helped inform the kitchen design. It’s centred on a sculptural quartzite island that’s the social heart of the home.
“The leathered quartzite combines sea-green and earthy brown tones inspired by the surrounding landscape and uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views,” says Natalie Du Bois of Du Bois Design. “As natural light moves across the faceted surfaces, it reveals changing layers of texture, depth and shadow throughout the day.”
The island’s angular planes respond directly to the repeated geometry of the home’s architecture, establishing a strong relationship with the overall building form. The end result is a generous, highly functional kitchen that supports everyday cooking, shared meals and multi-generational gatherings and is one of several projects by the 2026 Designer of the Year.
