Mangrove House

By Jeff Brickell Architects

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Designed on a tight budget for a young family looking to return home from abroad. This house sits on a spectacular site bordering an extensive mangrove forest.  

The clients had initially approached a house building company and were dissatisfied with the resulting design and its relationship to the unique site. The budget and floor area however needed to remain.

This design problem necessitated careful consideration of building form, plan, structural systems and materials to ensure each offered design value. The simple floor plan is cranked to frame a spectacular view of the mangroves from the living space, whilst also allowing ample winter sun into the living space from the North. The living space flows both onto a balcony and covered outdoor deck with extensive sliding doors to double the size of the living space.

Vertical profiled metal pre-finished cladding was chosen for its cost effectiveness, durability and aesthetic qualities. This cladding is offset with Cedar lined recesses for the entry and balcony. Overall, this offers a very cost-effective cladding solution. In response to the topography and a flood hazard which exists on the lower portion of the site, the house is lifted on timber piles. This has the benefit of increasing views and allowing storage below.

Passive solar design principles were followed where possible with double glazing, high insulation, radiant heat source and natural cross and stack effect ventilation.

  • Location: Ngunguru, Tutukaka Coast, Whangarei District
  • Type: New Build
  • Floor Area: 115m2
  • Contractor: Mitchell Builders Ltd
  • Completed: 2016
  • Photography: Doug Pearson Photography
Jeff Brickell Architects
Northland
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Products used in
Mangrove House

Elm Dryden WoodOil
Elm Dryden WoodOil
By Dryden

Professionals used in
Mangrove House

Jeff Brickell Architects
Jeff Brickell Architects
Architects
- 2020
Doug Pearson Photography
Doug Pearson Photography
Photographers
- 2020
Dryden
Dryden
Manufacturers and Suppliers
- 2015

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Jeff Brickell Architects

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About the
Professional

Jeff Brickell Architects is a small, design focussed, architecture practice based in Whangarei. We offer dedicated personal service and high levels of accountability. Keeping overheads low means we offer excellent value. We have a local focus which allows us to foster collaborative relationships with other building professionals in Northland. We aim to craft buildings that relate to their environment and make people feel good.

Environmental Design

Above all we believe architecture needs to provide a healthy, comfortable place in which to live our lives. It needs to respond to its climate and be adaptable to suit the seasons. It needs to be as sustainable as possible and energy efficient. We utilise passive solar design principles in our buildings to provide natural light, warmth, cooling and ventilation. We aim to provide a range of outdoor spaces associated with the building to suit different times of day and year.

Quality Design

We recognise that people’s needs and values are often the same thing. We design architecture to meet people’s unique needs and to reflect their values. We aim for innovative, clever design solutions. Our design solutions provide cost effective architecture that is both practical and beautiful.

Site Specific Design

We use detailed site analysis to identify the unique set of opportunities that each site presents. Sun, wind, views, privacy and topography are all thoroughly considered to unlock the potential of the site. Often design concepts are derived from this relationship to site. We aim to design architecture that enhances people’s connection to their site and surrounding environment.