A pink house at Point Wells and a tent in a sand dune are among the local buildings shortlisted for the annual Auckland Architecture Awards.
Out of 63 outstanding structures across Tamaki Makaurau, six projects at Point Wells, Te Arai, Mangawhai Heads and Tahekeroa, near Ahuroa, have been selected by a jury led by local architect Belinda George, who lives at Mahurangi West. Fellow architects Rachel Dodd and Neil Martin, plus Dr Andrew Douglas, a senior lecturer in theory and design at the University of Auckland, made up the shortlist panel.
Heading the local line-up with an impressive four nominations is Studio John Irving, which has three homes and a small fitness centre on the list, including three structures at Te Arai. There is also a home named after a chip and a compact passive house designed to save energy.
The winners will be announced on July 19.
Crinkle Cut House by Pac Studio and Steven Lloyd Architecture
Close to the water in Point Wells, the crinkle cut house gets its name from the floor-to-ceiling louvred shutters that match the wall panels and appear to completely surround the single-storey home. When closed, the shutters enclose verandahs and a courtyard; when open, they let in light, air and make it difficult to judge where the outside ends and the inside begins. Above the wall and shutter line, a bank of sloping windows connects to a metal roof, filling the interior with light. The architect’s brief was for a bright and sunny home, connected to the water and community, while still allowing privacy. And it also had to be painted pink – though it is an extremely pale pink.
Lower Saddle Passive House by Respond Architects
High in the hills above Tahekeroa, east of Makarau, Lower Saddle House sits between two slopes and was Respond’s first foray into designing a passive house – a home that is healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient. It was also in-house, as Respond architect Joe Lyth was both the project lead and client. The focus was on producing a compact design with a well-insulated, airtight envelope, to provide a healthy interior environment with minimal heating costs. Outside, a traditional appearance was chosen to blend into the rural surroundings, with board and batten walls and a metal roof. The house has also been designed so that it can be upgraded and expanded as Lyth’s family grows.
The Dart by Studio John Irving
This distinctive, arrow-shaped holiday home is high on the cliffs at Breamtail Farm, just north of Mangawhai. The striking design looks like a compass point set at due north, but the shape was chosen not for its appearance, but to maximise privacy if and when a home is built on neighbouring land in future. The long, open eastern flank allows stunning views across the ocean to Hen and Chicken Islands and Hauturu, while the west looks out over rolling farmland. Cedar cladding and decking is used inside and out, even down to the kitchen cabinetry, to maximise flow and simplicity.
Sandiland by Studio John Irving
Nestled in the sand dunes near Te Arai Regional Park, Sandilands was not only named after its client, it was designed specifically to reflect her outgoing and welcoming personality. As well as the home itself, there are several timber box suites, which house a painting studio and guest accommodation. Inside the house, living areas are broken up into smaller spaces using floating art walls and changes in level and the indoor-outdoor kitchen blurs the line between in and out. Outside, there is a circular seating area sunk into the deck and a hot tub with views over the sea and sand.
Glider by Studio John Irving
The broad wing-form roof of the Glider appears to sit lightly on top of, and even form the crest of, the dune where it is built, overlooking the ocean and Tara Iti golf course at Te Arai. The edges of the long and low apex roof stretch down to the sand, appearing to rest on the earth and be ready for take-off. Floor to ceiling glass doors and even walls provide vast, commanding views of the golf course, dunes and ocean beyond, whether in the mirrored glass bar area or the bath built for two. Bedrooms are tucked under the wings at the sides, as is a hot tub outside.
The Tent by Studio John Irving
Sitting in the sand at Tara Iti, The Tent is actually a fitness centre for the exclusive golf club near Mangawhai. With its tensile pitched sail roof anchored by glossy teak poles and steel hawsers, the building resembles a smart Bedouin tent that’s been pitched in the dunes. Large louvred wooden doors and glass walls slide and open up, making it a light and airy space to work out in. With its warm wood, dark metal and natural flooring, it’s a world away from the average gym.
