The owners of the house were so taken by the view they made a specific request for the house to be designed so that on arrival, visitors were greeted with the stunning outlook from the entry, straight through the house and down to Hekerua Bay.
The design earned a Highly Commended in the Auckland Northland regional ADNZ | Resene Architectural Awards Residential New Home between 150m2 and 300m2 category. Like the defign team, the judges were taken by how the house amplifies the outlook to the bay: 'The landscape defines and extends the approach to an entry procession that celebrates extensive sea views,' the judges said.
Hillside sections are always challenging from a design perspective and this home is positioned on a very steep site. Creative Arch were commissioned to create a stylish contemporary home which maximised coastal views on a limited budget.
'Due to the steep gradient of the site, our approach was to design a simple cedar clad box running across the site, parallel with the site contours. The lower level was retained to the southern side, to sink the house lower on the site, keeping the house within planning restraints and to reduce the dominance of the building on the ridge. Creating this long form is cost-effective and enables sea views from all the bedrooms, living areas and outdoor decks', the designers said.
Living areas and the master bedroom are located on one level and two more separate bedrooms and a bathroom comprise the lower level, which can be used as guest accommodation or family rooms.
Multiple outdoor living has been maximised and designed to limit exposure to the elements. Two sheltered decks, one between the dining and the master bedroom on the main level and a second one directly below, are an essential element for outdoor living.
Materials chosen to complement the surrounding landscape include vertical dark stained cedar, contrasting horizontal natural stained cedar, dark timber battening at the entry and as handrails and screens. Internally, a white palette has been used to enhance the light filled interior and set off the glowing natural timber floor.
'The approach was to design a house with an emphasis on use of sustainable, natural materials, and textures that blend and shift with the light and surrounding vegetation,' the designers said.
For more information and to check out other projects by Creative Arch view Mark McLeays profile here and Mark Callander's here.