Exposed to the harsh elements of wind and ocean, this ‘beautiful craft’ of a home is positioned right on the edge of the tiny, secluded Taiharuru Bay in Northland. With its protective vessel form and warm, luxurious interior, the highly contemporary house is perfectly nestled into the surrounding environment.

Crosson Architects previously worked on another house in the same bay, ironically just next door to where Fe304 House is located. One of the clients spent a lifetime in the boat building industry and was involved in the technical team of the America’s Cup several years ago, so this strong connection with and love for the ocean, along with ideas of shelter, formed the house’s inspiration.

Architect Ken Crosson explains, “Just as early Polynesian explorers turned their sea-craft upside down to create land shelters, the up-turned hull form of the house evolved into a protective shell or carapace, segmented like that of a sea crustacean – the segments sliding over each other to allow light shafts to enter.”

The home’s form is a series of distinctive gable roofs in a unique cladding material called Fe304 – or iron oxide – which stands up to the coastal environment extremely well and was discovered by the client, after much research. Fe304 is the new generation Corten steel, and its rusted, brownish colour talks directly to the landscape of sand, brown grass, and clay and rocks in the headlands.

The north-easterly facing oceanfront site means that two outdoor living spaces were needed to maximise sunshine hours while providing protection. Crosson says, “Because the house is right on the coast, there’s offshore and onshore winds to contend with, so we have an afternoon courtyard that extends out down one side of the house, with another deck space at the front of the house that connects to the beach.”

With privacy being of the utmost importance due to the proximity of neighbours, narrow window planes have been crafted in the disconnected segments to both light interior spaces and offer glimpses out.

This idea of connection to the ocean views while also maintaining privacy is echoed in the architect’s use of translucent glazing inset with clear glass panes. “We were exploring the shape of a section of a boat, so the different types of glazing both express the house’s form and indicate that they are independent elements,” says Crosson. “In the main bedroom, particularly, we have enough openness to create a strong connection with the beach but also have high levels of privacy.”

Warmth and light radiate throughout the interior in a direct contrast with the home’s rugged exterior. Walls and ceilings are ply cladded, imparting a casual and relaxed feel. Crosson smiles, “Both the clients play table tennis, so we have designed a bespoke dining table that turns into a table tennis table, with marked quadrants. They simply pull away the chairs, put up the net and they’re away!”

The main bedroom and ensuite are located upstairs with the other two bedrooms downstairs, and the garage has been designed as a multi-functional space, with the ability to take the cars out and pull down bunks when needed.

Strongly sustainable, Fe304 has solar panels on the roof that feed back into the grid. Good cross-ventilation and high levels of insulation and natural light ensure that the home remains comfortable to live in year-round.

From both the beach and the street, this house has a strong presence at night. The LED strips on the ocean-front side appear to be randomly spaced but are actually staggered in a rigorous pattern, both inside and out. Street-side, the house glows like an inviting lantern, highlighting the layers of the hulls.

Fe304 is highly thought-out and rigorous in its design. “We wanted an outrageously modern house that was different to the other homes in the area but still had a relationship with the built context and the local landscape,” explains Crosson. “Like all of our projects, creating this house was a challenge, but then, we don’t do ordinary!”

This home received a NZIA Local Award 2018 / Auckland.

Site Manager: Oliver Tuck Construction

Written by ArchiPro editorial desk.