Palm Springs or New Plymouth?
By Imagine Architecture
This project is the second commission by the designer for these clients. As with the previous 2013 project the desire was for an interpretation of mid-century modernism that works and responds to present day New Zealand living and environmental factors. The concept was to embrace the client’s passion for mid-century eclecticism. In designing this house, the form and proportions were inspired from the modernist architecture of Palms Springs, CA, USA. This is especially evident in the street approach and outdoor living spaces. In developing the concept with the client texture, material and form were front of mind when resolving the spatial considerations.
The slightly elevated site was quite flat with a good urban views across the front of an existing heritage property out toward a bushy reserve. The same reserve provided a backdrop of mature native and deciduous trees that provided protection from the winter southerly wind.
Providing 3 bedrooms, a large garage and opening plan living the single level plan has been carefully developed to suit the client’s needs as they move towards retirement. Deliberately open plan yet with clear allocation of space contributes to a bright and spacious environment. A generous driveway compliments a large garage and provides ample parking for a motorhome and boat. Guest bedrooms are generous in size, ample storage is provided and the main bathroom is well appointed with quality fixtures, finishes and fittings.
The journey from the street is guided by screen block walls, a pattern repeated from their first home. The screens add to the modernist theme through layering and form but also provide privacy to the living areas between the house and street frontage. The front door opens to the main hall with its central raised roof void which allow lights to penetrate deep into the building regardless of the time of day. This provides a sense of space and airiness beyond the buildings physical proportions. With the site having a north-south axis the plan form features recesses to provide sun and light to enter the key spaces whilst at the same time providing generous outdoor living spaces all with level transitions blurring the line between indoors and out.
Window placement, roof overhangs and sun angles have all been carefully considered in a low-tech, passive solar design approach of harnessing and managing the sun’s energy and storing it in the thermal mass of stone walls. To cool the house a thin plan allows excellent cross-flow ventilation enhanced by the stack effect of the entrance atrium. Supplementary heating is by a log fire. The locally sourced Te Kuiti limestone cladding marks an honest modernist gesture and provides a bold textural element alongside the shiplap cedar. There is something mesmerising seeing crates of rough stone on site in rumbled form, then the transformation of the same into ordered forms. Sustainable Tasmanian Oak is used throughout the house including kitchen, office and wardrobes.
Colours & Materials:
- Wall Cladding: Cedar Shiplap, Te Kuiti Limestone
- Roofing: Enviroclad TPO Membrane
- Panelling/ Doors/Trim: Tasmanian Oak
- Wall & Ceiling paint: Resene Resene Milk White N90-007-075
- Carpet: Bremworth Collection Tussore 100% Wool Carpet - Colour Barberry 13/3022
- Timber Floor: European Oak, Quality Floors Ltd - Royal Plank 17x220x2200 Nature
- Kitchen wall tiles: TT Metal Mosaic Brass Brick
Professionals used in
Palm Springs or New Plymouth?
More projects from
Imagine Architecture
About the
Professional
Imagine Architecture (formally Imagine Building Design) is a multi-award winning architectural design practice that has been in business since 2002 with specialist expertise in Residential and Commercial design. Our practice has evolved through many iterations over the years. From starting in a shoebox home office, to growing into occupying historic premises at the Kings Building in New Plymouth, then to a sleek downtown high street practice. We have now gone back to our roots with small studio setups for Tony Biesiek out of Think Co in Tauranga and Steven Dixon in New Plymouth.
“Changing lives through great architecture & design”. That is the mission of Imagine Architecture. Since 2002, we have sought to infuse that mission into every project. Our designs are for high performance buildings that change lives. To achieve this, we combine aesthetics & energy efficiency with comfort & architectural appeal, function & use of space with quality interaction with the environment.
This approach is applied across all our projects irrespective of size or budget. We believe there is opportunity in every project to make better choices. This is accomplished thanks to better decision making to improve the quality of the space experienced by its occupants. Merely meeting minimum building code requirements is not enough. Exceeding minimums is the key to better buildings, be they new architectural homes or commercial structures. Optimum performance ahead of minimum compliance every time. Architecture with attitude!
Imagine Architecture aspires to uphold the Pritzker Architecture Prizewinner Glenn Murcutt’s ideal: ‘to touch the earth lightly’. This means we look at how nature has crafted the environment to this point in time, and form our design in relationship to that. For example, we have sculpted designs to the land, rather than the land to the design. Nature has brought us those spaces, so we strive to design structures to be harmonious with that nature. As custodians we seek to protect the environment through diligent stewardship and utilisation of the best high performance technology.
Our experience in over 1000 commissions to date is wide and diverse. In addition to servicing Bay of Plenty and Taranaki, we have commissions throughout New Zealand and have projects in Australia and Italy. In this modern age, geography is no barrier to delivering architectural excellence. The Imagine Architecture team's track record shows an ability to adapt quickly to client changes, government legislation and technical site situations. We have specialist experience in:
Residential homes and renovations
- Sustainable and Energy Efficient architecture
- Recreation & Parks facilities
- Apartments & Townhouses
- Mobility design and disabled access
- Retirement homes
- Gymnasia
- Schools & ECE
- Property development & investment units
- Industrial facilities
- Restaurant and retail design
- Shipping Container buildings
- Feasibility Studies
- Motels and Motor Lodges
Imagine Architecture promotes itself on the principle of “relationship marketing”. A large number of commissions come to Imagine Architecture by way of referrals from existing clients. This method of marketing reflects our philosophy of creating quality relationships with clients. This is achieved by friendly, clear and up front communication matched with a quality design service that meets the aesthetic, functional & financial requirements of the client.
Imagine Architecture is the experienced team to use if you are looking for innovative design that respects the environment, quality technical documentation, superior service through excellent communication.
- ArchiPro Member since2015
- Follow
- Locations
- More information