Residence Bay of Islands

New Zealand

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Residence Bay of Islands

New Zealand

Firm

j2o Architectuur

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2016

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

BUDGET

Undisclosed

The subtropical climate and mountainous landscape of the Bay of Islands is part of this new residence and vice versa. Any hour of any day of the year there is an easily accessible deck to be found around the house where one can find the sun and is protected from rain, heat and wind. The boundary between inside and outside spaces fades through the many sliding doors. Even the bathroom has a walk‐out shower. The direction of the parquet flooring towards the light and its seamless transition from interior to exterior spaces amplifies this relation.

The straight roof directs the rain water towards the 15.000 liter tanks. This feature combined with careful insulation and space for sufficient solar panels makes this residence potentially selfsustainable; it can be taken off the grid. By closing two sliding doors on the lower level the private quarters are simply separated from the other spaces. Accessible by wide stairs as well as by a hydraulic lift, the upper floor is flooded by daylight from all sides. It comprises the living room that opens on both sides to the surrounding decks, the spacious dining room and kitchen as well as guest quarters.

Through the façade materials and their colorscheme, the direction of the roof and the landscape design with newly planted indigenous trees and shrubs, the house is barely visible from the Bay. Terraces follow the curves of the mountain and, with extensive drainage systems, can easily absorb the
enormous amounts of rain that occur in a subtropical climate.

In close communication with local architects, engineers and builders the residence was designed and built according to the client’s wishes, with a strong relation between living inside and outside, and with a keen eye for the magnificent views and a long term living in the residence.