Coastal Retreat: Fairhall

By Ron Seeto Architect

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he site located on the edge of a cliff with views back across the bay to Omaha settlement to the west and Leigh further north also manages a glimpse out to sea and Little Barrier to the north east. The house consisting of 3 detached loosely linked pavilions: sleeping, living/eating is connected by a protective caged stone wall and skylit covered walkway on the landward side. The client desire for a series of gentle spaces and the sloping terrain generated a building staggered in plan to resemble the traditional organically evolved bach settlement stepping down the slope interspersed by water gardens and romantic courtyards: indoor and outdoor rooms merging seamlessly. 

Formal massing plays on the ubiquitous gable and leanto vernacular and the pleasant memory of arelaxed seaside lifestyle of living in and out of different houses strung along a walk down to the beach. This house reveals itself gradually with walls and openings placed in a way that orchestrates a systematic unveiling as the visitor enters and progresses from space to space participating in an architectural striptease.Water, stone, concrete, glass, gargantuan timber beams, louvred timber shutters and exotic landscaping all serve to increase the feeling of a tropics amenable house and feed the visual senses. All this making for a family retreat for this well travelled family who loves to entertain.

Ron Seeto Architect
Auckland

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Coastal Retreat: Fairhall

Ron Seeto Architect
Ron Seeto Architect
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Architecture infused with top industry experience - efficient home design - liveable spaces

Ron Seeto Architect, formerly MCP Auckland, specialises in creating liveable spaces which, "make your neighbours jealous" and are efficient in their use of space in the home design.

We have a particular interest and experience in efficient home design and pre-Crafted manufactured off-site building solutions where appropriate. For all our projects we are committed to the design and delivery of interior and exterior spaces that meet client requirements driven by these fundamentals -- efficient, purpose, aesthetics, budget, site, culture, social and environmental.

Born in Fiji and graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture with Honours from Auckland University, I have worked in New Zealand and the South Pacific – starting with Claude Megson and latterly Murray Cockburn.

I believe the dream project holds these elements -- innovation and practicality. Listening and collaboration. Enthusiasm and commitment. Trust and clarity between architect, client and consultants. Efficient home design making liveable spaces.

As every project is personal and unique, I do not work to a defined style or formula. Context and Contrast are important, not to mimic but be part of a place in a liveable community and the efficient use of space in home design is a goal.

We have designed a wide range of projects including residential - home design, commercial, and institutional, and have amassed special expertise in the residential, liturgical and the hotel/resort sectors.

I am proud to say that we have always been a referral business. Over 50% of our clients have been referred by existing clients.