Camouflage

Memories of endless childhoodsummers can stay with us forever the simple beach cottage, campfires on the beach. It's a far-reaching nostalgia that can determine where we live in later life, and the design of our homes.

This new house, designed and owned by architect Paul Jones and his wife Clair Medhurst, was strongly influenced by such memories. The mix of materials and the sense that it has been added onto over the years give it an organic feel that is in keeping with its beachside setting.

But the location also influenced the design in other ways, says Jones.

"The weather can be harsh, with strong winds and big waves during a storm, so the house had to be robust," he says. "There were also strict local government regulations relating to height, which needed to be taken into account. These factors helped determine the final shape of the house."

The height of the sand dunes meant the house needed to rise to three stories to provide the best ocean view. To meet the height-to-boundary restrictions while still providing the maximum amount of floor space, a curved roof was incorporated. This had the added advantage of providing a loft-style living area.

Visually, both the house and the landscaping acknowledge the wind-swept beach setting. The solid base of the house features black tiles that complement the vegetation on the sand dunes. Upper floors feature black wooden boards, laid both vertically and horizontally.

"We wanted to retain the character of a traditional beach property, so there are strong beach shack elements in the choice of materials," says Jones.

The front landscaping also relates to the sand dunes, with grasses and succulents interspersed between a concrete path that winds through the dunes to the door. In the more sheltered back yard, mature trees include pohutukawas, Canary Island palms and frangipani.

"The trees give order, shape and bulk to the garden, says Jones. "But the suggestion of a beach shack is also evident here there's the obligatory barbecue, outdoor shower and a place for fishing rods."

From the front entrance, stairs lead up to the main living areas. The stairs feature perforated stainless steel mesh balustrades and smooth jarrah handrails, molded to the shape of the hand.

"The stainless steel mesh creates a nautical flavor, and there's the added visual interest of the snaking wooden rail that journeys down the stairwell," says Jones. "The library at the first-floor level is a nice pause point."

A guest suite, bathroom and office are also positioned on this floor, while the top floor accommodates the main living areas and master bedroom suite.

"The top level is virtually a self-contained apartment," says Jones. "The stairwell is the vertical element that links it all together."

The stairwell also introduces light down through the house and acts as a thermal chimney, providing natural ventilation. Hot air rises and is vented through louvers at the top of the house.

As with the guest room on the first floor, the open-plan living area and master bedroom open to a large deck, which features copper mesh screens.

"The house is oriented to the west," says Jones. "The strongest winds are from this direction, and also the harshest heat load. The copper screens can be opened or closed, depending on the weather and the direction of the wind. They also provide privacy from the busy beachfront, yet are easy to see through from inside."

Jones says copper was chosen for its low-maintenance properties.

"We also like the fact that it will age to a verdigris color, similar to the coastal vegetation. The whole house is designed to age gradually to be camouflaged within the natural landscape."

Colors within the house also take their cue from the surroundings the dunes, the ocean and the limestone cliffs.

Jarrah floors enhance the casual feel of the interior the wide boards are from a demolished warehouse.

The cafe-style kitchen also features jarrah, mixed with stainless steel and glass. Dormer windows bring northern light inside and aid ventilation.

"In addition, concealed uplights bounce light off the curved roof, highlighting the work area," says Jones. "This provides a degree of intimacy while still retaining the overall lofty feel."

Story by: Trendsideas