A house on Te Arai Beach, between sand dunes and pine forests on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, designed by local architecture firm Fearon Hay.
With reference to timber sheds in rural New Zealand, the building was chosen to create a sense of leisure and eternity at the edge of the dunes. Between them there is an outdoor fire and seating area. For moderate light, air, landscape and privacy, the house is layered with sliding wood shutters.
Together with the wood cladding and roof, the material will age to silver over time, allowing the building to blend into the landscape. By using wood inside, it brings the whole building together, blurring the interior and exterior. The wood inside is oiled to provide warmth, as a subtle counterpoint to the exterior.
Inside a combination of sloping and flat ceilings provide both intimate and voluminous spaces. When the ceilings are raised and sloping to the ridge, a dado of timber down-stands link the spaces and consolidate the glazing and shutter lines on the perimeter.
- Architect: Fearon Hay Architects
- Photos: Simon Wilson
- Words: Qianqian
