By Gerrad Hall Architects
This home in Ponsonby was conceived as a private retreat from the bustling life of an inner city suburb. It reworks the classic Roman idea of arranging the spaces of the house around a tranquil central courtyard set a few paces off the street.
By focusing inwards the house overcomes the typical urban obstacles of a lack of privacy and view. The house consists of two pavilions fronting onto either end of a lap-pool, with a stepping flat roof tying the composition together. This concentrates the activity within the house around a common private outdoor space and suggests that the occupants are participants in a theatrical experience.
Gerrad Hall Architects is a design-based architectural practice with an emphasis on producing elegant, functional and enduring works. With projects spread throughout New Zealand, this award winning Auckland based practice has 16 years of experience in the design of new homes and house alterations of all sizes and budgets.
Gerrad is involved through all stages of design and construction, and offers a genuine one-on-one process with an open and inclusive approach. With a strong interest in robust materials, expressive detailing and building quality, there is a consistent focus on producing work that will not only stand the test of time, but will get better with age.