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Please do not disturb from New Home Trends volume 2513
A number of reasons lie behind the end of the traditional suburban dream of a quarter-acre section, but the fact remains we're having to live on smaller and smaller plots of land.
One of the biggest challenges this presents to architectural designers is how to build a comfortable family home on a tight, and in many cases, undulating site.
"When you're dealing with a site that has a number of constraints, not least of which is access, the best solution is usually to let the site dictate the design, instead of trying to impose a set design onto the site," says Brent Barrett of Unik Limited, the designer and builder of this property.
Barrett says within thirty minutes of viewing the site he envisioned the design of the house, one in keeping with the topography.
"Although we're close to the sea, I didn't want to build up to capture the view. It was important to me to build a home that nestled into the site, retaining a high level of privacy.
"I wanted the house to take full advantage of the bush that covers the site. Good indoor-outdoor flow was another priority, as was bringing the garden indoors through large plantings. Indoor garden atmosphere is one of the most underrated aspects of architectural design in New Zealand," he says.
With an idea for contemporary open-plan living within a sleek, refined space, Barrett chose to build in solid masonry, while a steel roof gave him the required strength to achieve a single ceiling plane.
"The premise for the design of this house was to allow the natural environment to be fully integrated into the indoor spaces. A high stud and pitched roofline with expanses of glass provide a minimal barrier to the sky, allowing both vertical and horizontal views to the outdoors.
Barrett says a great deal of thought was given to ensuring the functionality of the home – especially as it is only 260m². That meant combining modern design with a family feel, to ensure all of the areas are usable, and that there is no wasted space.
The spaces can also be easily reconfigured to suit the changing needs of the family unit. The downstairs area can be used as a self-contained master suite, a children's bedroom and play area, or even a teenager's retreat – complete with its own separate entrance.
The minimal use of colour and adornment also serves to highlight the pared-back interior architectural style that Barrett chose for the house. All of the lighting, for example – with the exception of the kitchen pendants – is recessed, in keeping with the desire for an unbroken ceiling plane.
"All of the built-in cabinetry has been designed to conceal electrical wiring, while light switches and power outlets have been kept to a strict grid pattern to minimise their visual impact," says Barrett. "Everything is designed to magnify the sense of open space."
The design of this new home by Brent Barrett of Unik Limited is a direct response to the topography of the site.
The inclusion of plantation shutters throughout the house allows the owners to control the amount of privacy they desire without the overall design becoming too heavy. S
The pitched roofline helps draw the eye upward to the skyline, reinforcing the sense of lightness.
Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the outdoors front and centre.
The crisp, pared-back interior complements both modern family living and the bush-clad site.
The use of a structural steel roof means the ceiling above the living areas is a sleek plane that appears to float above the room. This creates a sense of lightness, allowing the surroundings to become a central part of the design scheme.
Stacked doors slide back to offer unimpeded access to the outdoor area. The overhanging roofline helps reinforce the link between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Furnishings were specifically chosen to reflect the natural surroundings and minimal aesthetic.
Colour accents add vibrancy and contrast to the bush greens. Concealed wiring helps keep the interior sleek and uncluttered.
Each room in the house has been fully wired for a number of configurations to suit the changing needs of the homeowner. At present, this downstairs area is a self-contained master suite.
The use of plantation shutters as a dividing wall is a subtle reminder of the home's verdant setting.
Diffuse natural light is admitted through a skylight in the master ensuite. This reinforces the interplay between indoors and out.
A neutral palette that includes porcelain floor tiles and an unbroken ceiling plane creates a sense of spaciousness.
A mix of materials was incorporated into the galley kitchen, for both practical and aesthetic reasons.
The lower level has been configured so that it can accommodate a range of uses, from master suite to teenager's retreat. Every room has been wired for full functionality.
Even in the bathrooms the link to outdoors is apparent – in this instance a glass exterior wall in the shower admits diffuse natural light.
Credit List
Builder
:
Brent Barrett, Unik Limited (Auckland)
Furniture stylist
:
Carolyn Radford, Eon Design Centre
Living room furniture
:
Ruth Rocker by David Trubridge; Vernon Armless chair; Cayo sofa; Bedwyr Davies Loop coffee table; Marine Bean bean bag by Coast New Zealand from Eon Design Centre
Dining furniture
:
Tapered table; Nidus Barcode and Whitewash chairs; Pedro stools; Dom hall table from Eon Design Centre
Bedroom furniture
:
Giddyup rocking stool by Tim Wigmore; Vernon Armless chair; Dom hall table; leather ottoman from Eon Design Centre
Flooring
:
Zinda porcelain tile from European Ceramics & Stone; Source Mondial
Lighting
:
Universal Lighting Edgecliff; ECC
Heating
:
Real Fires; Warmup New Zealand
Paints
:
Country Colours from Resene
Benchtops
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Corian; linen finish stainless steel
Vanity
:
Bleached oak with Corian basin
Tiles
:
Zinda porcelain tile from European Ceramics & Stone
Floral settings
:
Vida Flores
Story by Justin Foote
Photography by Jamie Cobeldick
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