House in a forest, Beach Haven - Auckland City, New Zealand

Understanding the project and defining the entire design meant for us to understand that with this unique location we were not dealing with a domesticated space or a new urban development, but were entering a wider world - a forest...

 

The house is developing over three levels on a concrete plinth to give views through the dense woodland to the beach. The main challenge was to integrate a huge house into a dramatic natural site, which includes a canopy of Pohutukawa trees and Nikau palms, while still being part of New Zealands biggest city.

Shaded by dense foliage, the site is extremely sun-challenged. Therefore, the concept for the design developed out of the need to maximise sun input and enable visual engagement with the beauty of the tree canopy.

​

The layout consists of two separate wings, connected with a glazed corridor. The bedroom wing incorporates a small courtyard to allow space for massive Kauri trees, while the entertaining wing is facing westwards towards the beach at one end and eastwards at the other end where the house opens onto a sheltered decking area with a series of sliding doors.

​

The changing floor levels are used to frame the lounge and the kitchen area with views to the surrounding bush. The guest area occupies a level of five steps higher up. At the rear of the ground level sits a protected outdoor area with views through the lounge towards the ocean.

​

In certain areas the walls slide open and offer a direct connection to the lush natural surroundings. The interior has a warm and earthy atmosphere. Most of the façade is clad in natural cedar. Given the rich, green gradient of the site, we wanted the house to blend in naturally with the colours of nature. Internally, the contrast between exposure and shelter is mirrored in the use of both - polished concrete floors and wooden floors with plywood which line the more private spaces of the home.