The house was conceived as two individual but congruent rectilinear forms, linked by a glazed circulation area, separated for privacy but coming together in the living areas for this extended family.
The clients requested the house to be nestled amongst the mature trees, not hidden from view but to be seen while maintaining privacy where required.
With the existing ground floor slab and foundations extended for the new house, the pavilions rise to the north-west private side of the site with exposed trusses extending over the terraces, adding drama to the outdoor areas. Timber battened ceilings over living and dining room areas of each pavilion are sculpted to follow the rising roof, flowing out to the exterior trussed roofs with concealed lighting for night-time drama.
Cantilevered at the street frontage the pavilions are extruded to provide views to the city and beyond while providing protection over the entry.
On the banks of Ohinerau Mount Hobson the house is fortunate to have the maunga as a stunning backdrop. Views from the 670m2 site over the reserve and mountain provide a setting for an almost rural landscape in this urban environment. Enjoyed from the living areas of the house this outlook is captured and framed perfectly in the dining room circular feature window.
The land gently contours to the north with the private outdoor areas enjoying all day sun. The new building located over the existing house footprint is accessed from the road frontage on the south-east side framed by mature Totara and Puriri trees. City views are accessed from the spaces occupied at the south ends of each pavilion.
The architecture while providing drama is well grounded and maintains its own character in the urban landscape.
Cedar vertical cladding contrasting with white painted cladding is used to heighten the differences between the pavilions, following through with related colours for the aluminium joinery, long run roofing and membrane roofing. The natural cedar pavilion is located close to the large trees and reserve while the white pavilion extends out to the cityscape.
The existing concrete block lower ground walls were repeated for a solid base to the structures balancing over. Construction of the exposed feature trusses with cedar or white painted battens continues the aesthetic of each pavilion. Timber roof trusses are used within the dropped ceiling spaces of the timber framed construction of the main level.
A stair of oak timber treads supported on a black steel frame and balustrade leads from the entry and lower level to access the main living level. The palette of natural timbers and natural light creates a warm and welcoming interior.
Sculptural screen designed by Pete Bossley was developed in collaboration with model maker Andrew Turney. Fabricated in brass mesh, the sculpture partially screens the piano hall in the light-filled space between the pavilions, animated by natural and artificial lighting to have different qualities at different times of the day.
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