Oratia House

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The site is located on an open but secluded section in Oratia, West of Auckland. Designed as a series of low horizontal forms, the house has been nestled into the hillside to follow the gentle slope of the site. The spaces have then been arranged around two courtyards – one the vehicle entry court and the other a sheltered living court, between the living and bedroom pavilions. The building forms have then been teased apart from each other, allowing a series of axes and gaps to develop between the spaces. These gaps are both internal and external, allowing the landscape to permeate into the residence. With low slug roof lines and a simple palate of exposed concrete block, cedar and glass, the house is something of a homage to the mid-century desert houses of Palm Springs.