Number 5 Waiheke
By Architectus
This project is in a way an “extension“ to one that we began in 1997. Our clients purchased a small cottage overlooking Onetangi Beach intending to build a new holiday house on the “L” shaped site. This duly happened with the construction of a long rectangular pavilion that allowed the retention of the existing cottage as a sleep out.
Over the years the extended family has grown and when the opportunity to add an adjacent site occurred this current project emerged. In this case, an existing house was relocated onto another site and the new one built.
The intention is this collection of buildings can be used both as a group and individually (now and into the future). The latest addition, Number 5, is sited to create a sheltered courtyard connecting the buildings and making a space that can be shared by all – slightly sunken with generous stepped edges to gather on.
The upper level of Number 5 is set slightly higher than the existing pavilion to allow a glimpse of the sea through its open doors and a small roof terrace above enables a view to the expanse of the beach below.
One bedroom is located in a concrete block enclosure on this upper level – the white painted bagging connecting Number 5 to the pavilion and anchoring the corner of the courtyard. Two other sleeping spaces and some service areas sit underneath the rooms over and look out to the west across the valley beyond.
There is no internal connection between the levels adding a group of spaces to the idea of a group of buildings, and to the possibilities for privacy and separation even in such a relatively small dwelling.
A large roof overhang protects a collection of outdoor spaces from the elements, its supports being both structure and screen.
Photography by Simon Devitt
Location:
Waiheke Island, Auckland
Completion:
2014
Products used in
Number 5 Waiheke
Professionals used in
Number 5 Waiheke
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About the
Professional
Architectus is an architecture and urbanism practice designing places and spaces tuned to their communities, context and culture. Advocates for integrated design, we apply a rigorous and tailored approach to create environments that are inspiring and enduring.
For over 30 years, we have been realising innovative and bespoke projects around Aotearoa New Zealand, shaping precincts and campuses with people and sustainability at their heart. Through a collaborative and integrated approach, we have had many successful joint ventures with local and international partners, and we enjoy a strong relationship with our associated studios in Australia.
Our Purpose
We believe architecture begins with a social agenda. It must nurture and grow communities and individuals, and enhance its neighbourhood and city. Appropriate, efficient and elegant architecture for today becomes the urban fabric of the future – we design for this longevity, to create places that will serve generations to come.
Design Philosophy
While a good project must firstly solve practical needs and be viable, a truly great project must embody a community’s broader cultural context: its urban and architectural setting, its local geography and ecology, and the stories of its people. The more meaningful a place becomes through a true sense of belonging, the greater the value and longevity it has for its community.
We believe placemaking in Aotearoa is grounded in a bicultural creative process. We partner with mana whenua to embed their aspirations and cultural narratives across functional, ceremonial, spatial and artistic dimensions.
Underpinning these human stories is our responsibility to be judicious with natural resources. Environmentally sensitive architecture requires us to be energy-efficient and space-efficient, and to use low-carbon materials and ethically sourced products.
This is a holistic approach that embeds our practice in a continuum of artistic and technical progress, so the architecture we are responsible for will be relevant for decades to come.
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