Bethells Beach House, Auckland Property Photos, New Zealand Building Project Design

Bethells Beach House – Auckland Property

Auckland Residential Development in New Zealand – design by HMA

19 Mar 2010

Bethells Beach Property

Ogle House

Location: Bethells Beach, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Architects: HERRIOT + MELHUISH: ARCHITECTURE LTD

Photos: Jackie Meiring

This house and studio for an artist sits on a steep site overlooking the black sand dunes of Bethells Beach.

Our initial reaction to this spectacular and remote site, was to touch the ground lightly. However, the dynamic migratory patterns of the area’s rolling black dunes and creeping clay covered hillside, suggested a house with a heavier and more rooted connection.

The resulting composition consists of deep, solid foundations suspending a series of lighter linear building forms above the ground and surrounding bush. With the landscaping completed, the house nestles comfortably within the native vegetation.
Three black timber boxes frame views and experiences within the landscape and local environment. Two of the boxes contain living and bedrooms; the third contains the double height studio. The ends of the boxes are either clear glazing or fibreglass translucent cladding. The clear glazing frames views of nikau palms, distant dunes, or the coast beyond.

Linking the timber boxes are the two slightly tilting roof planes of the entry deck, gallery, bathroom, and kitchen/dining spaces. These roofs float over the spaces, making them generally more glazed and open to the surrounding nature. The outdoor spaces between the boxes and contained by the overhanging roofs, soak up morning and afternoon sun, and additional decks hover over the dunes and vegetation.