- Location: Rothesay Bay, Auckland
- Floor Area: 292m2
- Status: Completed 2013
Inspired by the majestic cliff-top edge site in Rothesay Bay, the alterations to the client’s existing house take full advantage of the coastal sea views. With a focus on recycling and economy, much of the existing slab and groundwork structures were retained to form a modern four bedroom home.
For external cladding, a striking combination of stained cedar shiplap vertical and horizontal, accentuated with powder-coated metal cladding and plaster have been used. These, combined with low lying roofs, help to break up the buildings form.
The box forms are further integrated with recesses, eyebrow roofs, battens and black joinery providing an interesting contrast between texture and form.
Environmental considerations impacted the design of the house, with passive and cross ventilation informing design decisions. Across the upper split level, four bedrooms are accessed with full height ranch sliders which open up to full height cedar battens which provide light, ventilation and privacy for residents of the front two bedrooms. The two rear bedrooms enjoy wraparound decks with deck sliders that open to the uninhibited views of Rothesay Bay.
The lower floor adaptive re-uses the existing concrete floor slab, with living and kitchen repositioned to utilise passive heating. The western courtyard has been retained with a new louvre system providing windbreak on the exposed site and shade in the summer months to the kitchen. Double-glazed full height aluminium joinery in the main living area provides strong indoor-outdoor flow with flexibility and adaptability. Working with the existing parameters and following a layered approach, has resulted in a modern home which rests comfortably on a clifftop site between neighbouring high and low properties.
