parirau

The traditional red of rural sheds is applied to roof and walls to create a unified form, designed to be built in two stages. Stage one has been completed; the second will come when appropriate.

The large asymmetrical monopitch roof unifies the discrete forms below. The roof is formed as a single plane and free form plan with a large cantilever creating interesting structural challenges to ensure the slimness of the roof profile. The separate garage, living areas and bedroom elements are linked by the external entry and loggia. In cross section the rooms are tucked against the ground at the western uphill side, then open out towards the sea, sandwiched between the falling land below and the rising roof above.

The peak of this experience is the living/dining/kitchen space, cantilevered out over the gently falling hillside. The roof cantilevers even further to provide protection and drama. Large windows ensure the space is thoroughly immersed in the landscape, overlooking the 20Ha farmlet and the Hauraki Gulf beyond, towards Coromandel.

The house is used in conjunction with the nearby red 'traditional' barn, built first, housing a small apartment as well as cars and farm equipment. Our clients lived there while the house was being built. A small bedroom in the upper level, three steps up from the main level, caters for visiting grandchildren and doubles as an office.

Terraces on both sides of the house provide protection against prevailing winds. The main covered loggia has a fireplace and BBQ built in. Grassed steps lead down to the lawn, and paddocks often occupied by sheep or cows.

A future wing has been designed to expand the house to the north, which will add two more bedrooms. It will continue the ribbon of spaces linked by the roof, separated from the main bedroom by a landscaped garden.

The clients expressed a desire for their new home to be finished in a colour reminiscent of early rural farm buildings in Canterbury. The traditional red colour of rural shed is applied to roof and walls to create a unified form to designed to be built in two stages. Stage one has been completed; the second will follow when appropriate. The house is to be read in conjunction with the nearby red 'traditional' barn built first.

Colour plays a significant role in the experience of the house.

Exterior timber is boldly finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman in Resene Totem Pole, with the hue repeated on the garage door too. Fibre cement soffits are finished in Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss waterborne paint in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, for a seamless flow from the internal colour palette.

The predominant saturated red continues inside with the red stained kitchen, accentuated by a beautiful tile splashback by artist Miriam van Wezel. Bright panels of glass mosaics in the bathrooms continue the freshness of the colour experience. A relationship to barn-like farm buildings is suggested by the simple materials and the exposed steel structure.

Interior plasterboard is finished in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta throughout, including wet areas. Bold Resene Totem Pole in Resene Colorwood makes a feature of the kitchen cabinetry, finished in Resene Aquaclear Satin clear urethane to protect the stained finished.

More colour is planned for the future, with the proposed study cabinetry to feature Resene Colorwood Apollo Blue and Resene Satin Orange finished in Resene Aquaclear satin waterborne urethane.

Architectural specifier: Bossley Architects
Building contractor: Ron Kelly Builders Ltd
Kitchen splashback: Miriam van Wezel
Photographer: Simon Devitt + Bossley Architects
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2020