The main part of the house is the front facing open plan living zone which contains the lounge, dining, kitchen and connected deck. This rectangular footprint is supported by a steel structure which suspends the full 10m long by 8m wide black mono-pitched box high above the native bush below.
The elevated vantage point enables wonderful views southward above the kauri tree line and across the Auckland harbour toward the Waitakere ranges. Although the galvanized steelwork has been left exposed (I guess this is the Engineer in me!) I was careful to ensure that the timber joists were in the same plane as the steelwork so that only the bottom of the steel can be seen. The timber joists – and the insulation running between them – are clad with naturally stained cedar battens which butt up seamlessly to the edge of the steelwork. Designing to inset the steelwork and contrast it with the natural beauty of the cedar has enabled the house to celebrate its structural character without creating a harsh aesthetic which might otherwise appear too industrial if the full depth of the steel beams were to be exposed. A modern twist is created by contrasting the black (Resene – “All Black”) walls with stunning “Mambo Green” front door and pottery features. This vibrant black and green pallet is also mirrored in the kitchen.
The second part to the home is the 3 double bedroom rear sleeping area which includes a bathroom, laundry and ensuite. The rear portion of the house is constructed from a mono-pitched sloping timber structure supported on an exposed polished concrete floor cast on ground at the rear of the site. There is no “false ceiling” and instead the mono-pitch can be observed from the interior which enables the effect of more space for the modest footprint.
