_project:

House at Port of Refuge, Neiafu, Vavaʻu, Tonga

Two-bedroom coastal house.

The house is located in Toula, beside the Port of Refuge harbour in Neiafu on the island of 'Utu Vavaʻu. The site overlooks the sheltered natural harbour and lies beneath Mount Talau.

The house was built after the owner sailed through the Pacific and decided to settle in Vavaʻu. The design responds to the tropical climate and local conditions. Large wooden doors can be closed to secure the house when unoccupied and to protect against tropical rain and strong sun, while also allowing the building to open completely toward the harbour.

Inside, lightweight framed doors with mosquito netting allow the house to remain open during the tropical nights while keeping out insects. Large glazed windows were not readily available in the remote island setting, and the design therefore relies on simple, adaptable construction methods suited to local conditions.