CAUKIN Studio is currently designing a bespoke home for a young family in Fiji, focusing on comfort, sustainability, and the blend of indoor and outdoor living that comes with life in a tropical climate. The design embraces the island’s natural beauty while catering to the modern needs of family life.

The project brief emphasised creating a secure, welcoming environment that could facilitate both day-to-day living and occasional entertaining. Key design priorities include open-plan communal areas and outdoor spaces that extend the home’s functionality. The family highlighted a desire for high ceilings, an emphasis on natural light and ventilation, and the integration of sustainable, locally sourced materials, as with a number of our projects in the same region.

The design approach explores a two-wing layout, centered around an interior courtyard. The courtyard connects all living spaces visually and physically to a central landscaped area, fostering a sense of openness and calm. The layout ensures privacy by positioning bedrooms along the site’s long sides and orienting living spaces toward serene garden views.

The house transitions fluidly from public to private zones, with a garage placed at the front and living areas opening toward the rear. Passive design strategies are prioritised to enhance sustainability, including optimal solar orientation, cross-ventilation, and the use of ribbon glazing to bring natural light into all spaces. High ceilings and timber trusses, inspired by vernacular Fijian architecture, create airy, light-filled interiors. Subtle nods to Japanese carpentry and exposed structural elements add character and craftsmanship to the design.

The courtyard design creates a central focus for the home, visually connecting the kitchen, dining, and living spaces through large openings and carefully oriented layouts. These spaces flow around the courtyard, allowing family members to remain engaged and visible to one another, whether cooking, watching tv, or enjoying the outdoors. Expansive glazing enhances connectivity to the outdoors and creates a sense of openness.

In keeping with our design values, the home incorporates locally sourced materials, including masonry construction and timber finishes, minimising environmental impact while embracing the cultural context. Landscaping around the central courtyard features native plants and succulents for a low-maintenance yet vibrant outdoor environment.

The material palette embraces locally sourced Fijian Pine, celebrated for its versatility and treated to suit various applications, from structural elements to finely crafted finishes. Stucco-plastered walls offer a smooth, durable aesthetic, while the flooring combines warm pine timber with polished concrete for contrast. Changes in level between the raised timber and concrete floors accentuate the zoning within the home, distinguishing communal and private areas. This integration of materials reflects local craftsmanship and creates a connection between the house and its natural surroundings.