From Dwell.com

New Zealand may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of midcentury-modern architecture, but the country has its share of gems. One such property, completed in 1963 by pioneering architects Humphrey Hall and Keith Mackenzie, is a feast for the eyes—complete with a Japanese-inspired floor plan, original brass and copper details, and rich mahogany and teak panelling. A sunken living area features a central fireplace, exposed beams, and clerestory windows. The home’s floor plan was reportedly structured around the dimensions of tatami mats, as is common in Japan.

The home was commissioned by Hall’s longtime friends John and Beatrix Fletcher, a well-traveled couple with an affinity for Japan. At the time, John owned New Zealand's largest construction company, and he clearly spared no expense building his personal residence. Hall was inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as other modernist icons, while designing the post-and-beam structure. A horizontal beam in the living room nods to tori, which signify sacred spaces in traditional Japanese architecture.