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The town of Bell Block lies north-east of New Plymouth, an area where the surf is always up and the living is casual. This two-level home, a study in solidity and light, belongs to a boat-loving couple who spotted a DAA house in Raglan that sparked their imagination. So they asked for their own version.

While the flat, empty site was no challenge, screening off immediate neighbours that overlooked this section called for a considered approach.  A black cedar box on a concrete-block plinth allows a self-contained unit on the ground yet takes lofty advantage of sea views.

The heft of the concrete base, a design element which has echoes of the bach, is countered by the timbered upper storey which appears to cantilever on three sides. A textural screen of battens becomes more intense in areas where there is a need for privacy but opens up in others to the drama of the view. Peeling off from the upper façade are two projections, glazed on one face, to allow light into the deep recesses of the home but still turn a back to nearby neighbours.

Two outdoor rooms cater for sheltered living in the shifting winds: one is a covered space with ‘walls’ on three sides, the other enjoys full sun and a fireplace. A spiral staircase leads to a ‘widow’s walk’ on the topmost parapet: a secluded place to watch the world go by.  

The entry, clad in polycarbonate sheeting, becomes a shadow box in the evenings – the zigzag of stairway the stage on which the occupants perform the daily rituals of life. 

Photographer
Emma-Jane Hetherington

Dorrington Atcheson Architects
Auckland
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About the
Professional

Twenty years of experience coupled with an enduring spirit of youthful enthusiasm is the yin-yang balance that makes Dorrington Atcheson Architects a team that has produced so many award-winning buildings for their clients.

While every project calls for a fresh eye and an innovative approach, directors Tim Dorrington and Sam Atcheson also draw upon their considerable experience within the New Zealand marketplace.

Specialising in residential design, but with a proven track record in retail and office environments, this boutique company has quietly made their mark on the built environment, winning several NZIA awards.

Their methodology is highly collaborative, so while DAA favours contemporary design that takes its cue from mid-century modernism, its role is not to dictate but to engage with the requirements of home-owners and clients. Responding to site, budget and idiosyncrasies is all in a day’s work.

This honest approach is reflected in the materiality of their buildings where natural products are celebrated. Dorrington Atcheson Architects design functional spaces with measured proportions, a simplicity of structure and just enough surprise to delight.