banner

NZIA Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Award (Housing) 2020

The Cambridge House is located on a large rural site in the heart of the Waikato. The home caters to a large family and fulfils the client's aspiration for a dynamic home with strong visual connections to its surroundings. The home encourages entertaining and outdoor living through an outside-in arrangement while exhibiting strong environmental values.

The first stage of the design process focused on developing a landscape plan in which the house would be placed on the 2.1 hectare site. This allowed for early establishment of trees and shrubs, which occurred six months before design began on the residence and transformed the paddock into an extensive residential garden.

The subtly modernist courtyard is the main feature of the house, with three living areas arranged around it. Two sleeping wings are situated on either side of the courtyard, with the central living and family space bridging them. Cohesion is maintained throughout the three living spaces by an amplified pop-up roof form that gives hierarchy to the central living space. The central hub is further enhanced by a heroic full-height concrete fireplace and vaulted timber ceiling. 

Photography: Simon Wilson

Studio Pacific Architecture
View locations (2)
Get in touch
Visit Website
Cambridge House
Cambridge House
Cambridge House
Cambridge House
Cambridge House

About the
Professional

Studio Pacific was established in Wellington in 1992 by the three directors: Nicholas Barratt-Boyes, Stephen McDougall and Evzen Novak.

Prior to establishing the studio, all three directors studied and/or worked together in New Zealand before working for a period in Europe: Evzen studied in Berlin and worked in Switzerland and London, while Nick and Stephen were based in London and worked on projects throughout the U.K. and Europe.

The collective international experience gained by the directors in Europe set the platform and influenced the direction of the practice. From early design competitions and small residential commissions, Studio Pacific has evolved into an award-winning substantial and creative practice with diverse projects throughout New Zealand. Particular recognition has been given to the studio for working with the arts, urban regeneration, housing, masterplanning and contemporary workspace planning.

Studio Pacific undertakes a large range of projects, from small individual furniture items to large projects involving entire new towns. Our small-scale work includes new houses, additions and alterations, and retail work. Our larger schemes include large multi-unit residential and commercial buildings as well as masterplans and landscaping.

We enjoy having a mix of project sizes and types in the studio – each project has different challenges, and offers varied opportunities for us to express our creativity in response.