File not found

Floating Boxes Impress

This week Defign Blog explores Floating Boxes – Noel Jessop’s dramatic design – described by judges as two hovering timber pavilions.

An avocado orchard is the setting for a retired farming couple to remain connected to the land and enjoy their twilight years with a sustained income. With land undulating towards the nearby road on the eastern side, the home commands impressive, sweeping views to the harbour in the east, Mount Manganui in the north-east and the sheltered orchard in the west.

Noel Jessop says the home is divided into boxes, linked by a glass-lined walkway and angled to take advantage of the stunning views.

“The eastern side of the house ‘floats’ over the topography of the land. The feeling is one of being on an elevated balcony, extending out to meet the view,” he says.

Utilities are housed on the southern side of the house and the double-garage sits flush with the orchard at the rear. A second lounge – accessed via a secret kitchen door – is a great winter hideaway for taking in the orchard views.

“There is a constant sense of movement between the spaces,” says Noel. “The owners can choose to live very comfortably in private, or join their extended family in more open spaces.”

The white-stained larch cladding contrasts beautifully against glass, black aluminium and concrete – perfectly delineating the spaces. The black painted concrete block beneath the boxes provides a base for the cantilevered concrete floors and adds to the drama, accentuating the home’s floating appearance.

Architectural Designers New Zealand provides the platform from which our talented architects and architectural designers can showcase their exceptional work around New Zealand.

BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS 2016
Residential New Home between 150m2 and 300m2 Architectural Design Award
Floating Boxes by Noel Jessop of Noel Jessop Architecture
Commended – Henry House by Colin Davis of DaVista Architecture Ltd

Residential New Home over 300m2 Architectural Design Award
Highly Commended – Hadfield House by Will Tatton of Will Tatton Architecture

Residential Alterations and Additions Architectural Design Award
Combs House by Will Tatton of Will Tatton Architecture

Residential Interiors Architectural Design Award
A-Cute House by Tane Cox of Red Architecture

Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award sponsored by Gib
Tanatana Marae by Aladina Harunani of APA Architects & Project Managers

Resene Colour in Design Award
A-Cute House by Tane Cox of Red Architecture