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Designed for an ex-pat returning home after many years in the UK. The brief called for primary living and guest spaces as well as a more private master suite for the owner to retreat to encompassing master bedroom, ensuite, robes, sitting/reading and office spaces as well as ample floor space for yoga. 

Situated in the heart of the seaside village of Ngunguru on Whangarei’s Tutukaka Coast. The house is set back from the waterfront and is surrounded on all sides by neighbouring houses. A large mature Pohutukawa tree forms a beautiful feature of the site.     

The house is conceived as two simple gable forms linked by a glazed entry. The two forms frame a private entry court. At ground level the house consists of the main living wing opening to north and east-facing decks with guest quarters behind. A garage wing contains the wet areas. Above the living wing at first-floor level is the private master suite with pocket sea views to the east and more rural views to the north and west, as well as access to a north-facing balcony. The first floor utilises scissor trusses and dormers to create a ‘loft’ type space familiar to the owner from time spent in the UK. 

Painted timber weatherboards in a bevel-back profile provide a timeless cladding solution with strong shadow lines. Traditional details such as window facings, boxed corners and boxed gables are reinterpreted to suit modern cavity construction whilst referencing traditional NZ timber bungalows and villas. 

  • Location: Ngunguru, Tutukaka Coast, Whangarei District 
  • Type: New Build
  • Floor Area: 211m2
  • Contractor: Paul Erceg Builder Ltd 
  • Completed: 2018
  • Photography: Doug Pearson Photography
Jeff Brickell Architects
Northland
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About the
Professional

Jeff Brickell Architects is a small, design focussed, architecture practice based in Whangarei. We offer dedicated personal service and high levels of accountability. Keeping overheads low means we offer excellent value. We have a local focus which allows us to foster collaborative relationships with other building professionals in Northland. We aim to craft buildings that relate to their environment and make people feel good.

Environmental Design

Above all we believe architecture needs to provide a healthy, comfortable place in which to live our lives. It needs to respond to its climate and be adaptable to suit the seasons. It needs to be as sustainable as possible and energy efficient. We utilise passive solar design principles in our buildings to provide natural light, warmth, cooling and ventilation. We aim to provide a range of outdoor spaces associated with the building to suit different times of day and year.

Quality Design

We recognise that people’s needs and values are often the same thing. We design architecture to meet people’s unique needs and to reflect their values. We aim for innovative, clever design solutions. Our design solutions provide cost effective architecture that is both practical and beautiful.

Site Specific Design

We use detailed site analysis to identify the unique set of opportunities that each site presents. Sun, wind, views, privacy and topography are all thoroughly considered to unlock the potential of the site. Often design concepts are derived from this relationship to site. We aim to design architecture that enhances people’s connection to their site and surrounding environment.