Rothesay Bay, North Shore, Auckland

The beach side house is a direct result of a balancing act between the tight ordinances and restrictions placed on a beach front property, the desires of the client to maximize the potential of this unique property and desire by both the clients and architects to create an appropriate architectural response for the both the natural and built contexts. The form of the house hugs the natural contour of the landforms and is broken into small masses, taking reference in form and materiality to the natural surroundings. There is a strong play between the public and private realms, ensuring that both are respected and enhanced by the final built result.

The initial brief for the house was simple: to create a home suitable for a young family and to make the most of the unique beach front location. The design was to incorporate double garaging and boat parking, and as many rooms as practical taking full advantage of the beach and waterfront views. A basement or boatshed area was also required to accommodate small yachts and dinghies. Due to the predominating sea breezes an outdoor living space was required to the north west of the property giving shelter from the east, with a high degree of transparency retained through the house itself.

The actual building area of the site is heavily constrained by the foreshore set back from mean high water springs and to the normal front and side yards. In addition to this there was also restrictions imposed by the root and drip line structure of a mature Pohutukawa tree on site. Additional restrictions were imposed y the clients desire not to create a dominant house or restrict the views over the site for the surrounding neighborhood.

The public nature of the site was also a concern – being surrounded by public spaces (beach road and reserve) on three sides. Whilst it was expected that there would be at least some direct visual relationship with the beach it was important to maintain privacy and security to the remaining areas of the house. This has been achieved through careful orientation, public private interface and operable screening devices.

Key material and detailing issues and decisions revolved around durability and maintenance as the house occupies a harsh beachfront environment that is transformed into a surf beach in easterly conditions.

The entire material pallet has been selected to represent the essence of the materials used, both interior and exterior and in doing so the house can achieve a bold architectural statement without becoming incongruous with the natural beach front context.