Design meets divine in this selection of projects that showcase top talent and were recently honoured in the Spatial Category of the Best Awards 2024.
PANORAMA
Edwards White Architects
Such a quintessential coastal setting required a building that was an architectural expression of the intersection between nature and the man-made. This multi-generational holiday home in the Coromandel emerges from the land. Its grounded stone base, embedded in the cliff face, is topped by an almost-invisible negative layer: a lightweight timber box that enjoys perforated glimpses through pōhutukawa, with views directly down the bay.
There is both a lightness of being and a sense of permanence here. Materials are authentic and durable, with locally sourced stone a robust coat that will patina to perfection, cedar cladding that will weather over time, and exposed steel that is corrosion- resistant within the marine environment.
While the footprint was constrained to a triangular pocket on the upper area of the site, there are still ample spaces for privacy and togetherness, where extended family can congregate or enjoy quiet time. Aspects of the Kiwi bach vernacular are here, too. There is no formal front door but, rather, several ways to enter, circulating across expansive decks to step directly into the living zones.
Once inside, the home becomes a container for curated views, with aspects revealing themselves slowly. The gentle adventure continues: an ancillary dwelling, termed ‘the bunker’, is accessible via a covered tunnel where a wine cellar is a delightful subterranean surprise.
A rooftop terrace planted with hardy grasses boasts views over Mercury Bay — a panoramic perch that adds another plane of interaction to the experience.
RIDGE HOUSE
Keshaw McArthur
Redefined as a place of refuge in the city, this former two-bedroom Grey Lynn cottage on a steep, narrow site still provides its young entrepreneurial owners with a connection to the excitement of the urban landscape.
Conceptually, the plan zooms in on the idea of intervals and transition spaces to distance body and mind from the frenetic outside world. A sequence of floor-level changes descends from the existing house to a new addition and, ultimately, a lower rear garden.
What looks like a typical character home from the street transforms down a series of steps into an insertion that accommodates the new dining and living spaces.
Establishing a dialogue with the volcanic cone of Maungawhau/Mt Eden, both visually and figuratively, was a driving factor. The heft of raw concrete masonry block establishes a grounded base while brick veneer in a light clay tone wraps around the volume from outside to in. The pocket garden that surrounds it features bench seating made of clay from the site.
Within, a restrained material palette allows the focus to remain on the fundamental form of the building, an expression of architecture reduced to its essence, while generous floor-to-ceiling glazing and roof lights entice the attention to the garden, cityscape, and sky.
This little gem on a ridge, which retains as much of the existing building as possible, is an exemplary solution for tomorrow’s urban tapestry. It’s an adaptation that inspires and nurtures mindful city living.
PROSPECT HOUSE
at.space and Maud
The spaces in between are a reason for being in this Maungawhau/Mt Eden family home that was inspired by the client’s memories of her grandparents’ mid-century dwelling. A series of courtyards connect indoor rooms in a rhythmic way that is both rigorous and relaxed.
Stretched the length of the site, the horizontal lines of the design are brought into full frame. Varying volumes create a sequence of different spatial experiences, from quiet and intimate to expansive and gregarious, and a double-height glazed atrium brings light into the depth of the main living spaces.
The conversation between architect and interior designer on this project started nearly a decade ago and such consistent collaboration is evident in the cohesive narrative. Clean lines and an honest use of materials speak to the modernist theme. Crazy paving, evocative of the era, traverses the threshold to become flooring for the lower level, reinforcing the integration with nature. The theme continues with limestone battens horizontally stacked on two fireplace walls and along a gallery. Warm cedar linings and lichen-toned metals make up the textured tapestry.
Muted green carpet softens the stepped-down snug and infuses the bedrooms with serenity. An interrelated colour palette, timber accents, and built-in shelving to accommodate the comfort of the familiar make for an overall sense of ease.
With views from both within and beyond the site to iconic Maungawhau, the prospect looks good — today and for the future.
HEYINGTON PLACE
Studio 11:11
Arts & Crafts takes a contemporary spin in this engaging 1930s residence, where the romance of the inter-war years was pivotal to a full-package interior renewal. Located in Melbourne’s leafy inner suburbs, the residence had lost its mojo, with most of its original details destroyed. Turning the design lens back to craftsmanship and homing in on honestly expressed materials was a mindful way to pay homage to the initial intention of the architect.
Historical references particular to Melbourne in that era are echoed in a makeover where traditional, timeless moves meet state-of-the-art statements. Intricate timber panelling that was part of the preserved study became a springboard for joinery installed in the kitchen, dining and living spaces. Its textural grain and expressive profile counterpoint the smoothness of painterly natural stone and polished plaster walls, a harmonious trio that serenades the expertise of skilled trades.
With a butler’s pantry and walk-in marble cool-room, the kitchen is the new-nostalgic heart of the home. Striking marble work is prominent on splashbacks and benchtops which feature beautiful shark-nose edging. A marble table in the same stone takes up the theme in the dining zone.
The custom-designed cabinet that stretches from floor to ceiling to house the clients’ wine collection is crafted with care. Timber joinery and reeded-glass doors hark back to the past but fulfill a modern-day function. This project has succeeded in turning back the clock with elegant ease: it’s not hard to imagine the owners raising a hollow-stemmed glass of bubbles to celebrate.
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