The Treehouse
By Charissa Snijders Architect
The Treehouse rests lightly on a tongue of land on Waiheke Island, cantilevering into and sheltered by the native bush to the south. To the north are panoramic sea views held by the eastern land of the Coromandel, Great and Little Barrier Island, stretching westward to Tawharanui Peninsula and Rakino Island.
The house is reminiscent of a tramper’s hut: a timeless haven connected closely to the elements. A place to retreat to, where one can listen to the rain, the wind in the trees, bird song and the stillness of the night. It is a place to remind oneself of the richness that can be experienced in the simplest things in life.
The palette of materials reflects both this simplicity and richness. Juxtaposing warm timber and moments of stone, it celebrates timber both on the exterior and interior: from its structural piles, laminated beams and posts, salvaged Matai flooring, NZ farmed Totara walls and shelving, to Meranti ply cabinets and sliding doors, cedar doors, windows and shutters framed in Rosewood, Cedar sarking both inside and out, to the Western Cedar weatherboards and vertical shiplap walls held together with a Vitex deck and Cedar screen above, it is a testament to the beauty and power of timber.
The Treehouse imbues the magical qualities of native forest and seeks the praise of shadows as well as the light. Its ever-changing kaleidoscope of patterns, texture and view shafts – both day and night, uplifts the senses and awakens one’s spirit for life.
Photography by: Bridget Hackshaw, Peter Rees Photography.
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The Treehouse
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The Treehouse
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Weaving the story of people and place through award winning design, Charissa works with you to create architecture that is life-affirming, resilient and beautiful.
Working co-creatively with you, the design is innovative and personalised to meet your unique needs. The process is an enriching experience, one that inspires authentic living.
Charissa Snijders Architect works on everything from the overall design idea to the smallest details. Interiors, exteriors, materials, colour, lighting, landscaping, and creative landmarks. To make sure every design is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative, Charissa works with Regenerative Practitioner frameworks and The Living Building Challenge (LBC) - a high level green building certification programme.
CHARISSA SNIJDERS
Charissa Snijders is an award-winning Architect who has been working in the field since 1992. She combines vision, artistry, experience, and her skills as an empath to create places of beauty and resonance that restore harmony between people and place. Her integrative approach bridges indigenous wisdom with ground-breaking science.
Charissa’s approach is co-creative; with her client as an integral partner on the team at every stage of the design and building process. Charissa oversees the delivery and documentation of the concept design with the support and expertise of her team. She coordinates and delivers an inspired outcome that is not preconceived, rather a combination of the client’s unique requirements, the story of the land and the budget. The aim is to achieve an outcome beyond the client’s expectations. For Charissa, a successful project inspires authentic living; bringing greater meaning to all those who experience it.
- Year founded1999
- ArchiPro Member since2014
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