Zonnebries

This home, designed for a growing family, is located in suburban Auckland’s North Shore. Two trees, a Golden Elm and a Puriri serve as natural anchors points for the house. Living spaces beneath the main gable are designed to connect with each other and the outdoors. The transparent gable allows connection to the street, through the kitchen, to the western deck and Puriri tree at the back. The house uses passive heating and cooling, with exposed concrete floors for thermal mass and shade structures on doors and windows to suit their orientation help control temperature. The house promotes an awareness of the external environment and a deliberate way of living in that environment. Inspired by the ‘California Bungalow’ style, the exterior features dark-stained timber weatherboards, corrugated metal roofing, and whitewashed timber details, meeting the Council’s heritage requirements.