Context
Set on the slopes south of the Bombay Hills, this is a large country house for a family of 5 with strong family ties to the local farming community.
Design
The low-slung forms follow the natural land contour, anchoring into the slope just below the crest to deflect and protect against the strong south-westerly wind, and providing sheltered courtyards and verandahs to the north.
The two elongated shed-like pavilions define the Living Areas from the Bedrooms with an internal garden courtyard linking the two.
Durable materials used in their "raw" state blend with the natural landscape. The base of the building is of natural stack bonded concrete block with a steel structured lightweight roof umbrella suspended over highly glazed walls.
"Stunning wide-screen views over the North Waikato basin belay the skill and expertise used in designing a sophisticated "rural shed" for a family. Sensitively set back into the side of a large hill, this home is carefully crafted, feels open and warm and protected, yet is very contemporary. The use of materials that express the nature of the material and casual yet cosy design allows sheltered family use that takes advantage of all the aspects of the exposed site and turns it into an exciting set of living spaces."
Strachan Group Architects is a multiple award-winning Auckland practice. Grounded in a specific and detailed first-hand knowledge of construction the team brings a highly developed sense of craft to the task of creating sustainable buildings with precision and elegance.
The keen sense of attention that the practice brings to the interpretation of a client’s brief is equalled by a rich and complex understanding of how to respond to the subtleties of site, the impacts of the natural environment, and the many contexts within which a building must operate. To these qualities SGA adds a precise understanding of the requirements of construction, with an advanced level of experience of prefabrication and the use of digitally controlled machinery in the fabrication of building elements under tightly controlled conditions.
SGA takes pride in it's ability to communicate ideas about building as they develop in conversation with clients, consultants and contractors. This skill has been honed in the extensive involvement the practice has had in education, where it has delivered a number of design/build projects with architecture students that have been recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Architects by a series of Awards.
Recognised by their peers as an innovative and exciting practice, SGA consists of a group of highly skilled people with a diverse range of complimentary skills. This flexible team is highly attuned to new developments in the building industry, appreciated by their many clients and capable of undertaking work at any scale.