Wawata House is a finely resolved coastal retreat that responds with confidence and restraint to its steep setting and expansive bay views. Anchored by an insitu concrete wall that braces the building into the slope, the house balances robustness with warmth through an assured palette of dark steel, cedar, stone, oak and rattan. The jury admired the contrast between the home’s dark, recessive exterior and the softness, informality and tactility of its interior spaces. Generous glazing, sliding timber shutters and carefully integrated outdoor rooms create a richly layered living environment that is both grounded in its landscape and beautifully crafted.