Irving Smith Architects

offSET Shed House

offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds

OFFSET SHED HOUSE

Irving Smith Jack Architects

ARCHITECTS
Irving Smith Jack Architects

LOCATION
New Zealand

CATEGORY
Houses

PROJECT YEAR
2015

PHOTGRAPHS
Patrick Reynolds

Text description provided by architect.

From a context of accrued simple shed-esk dwellings in an isolated and south facing New Zealand coastal surf community, a strategy of sequencing building ‘sets’ (aka surf) was generated to scale new form to its surrounds.

New ‘shed’ sets are then offset to allow seasonal living, circulation, and privacy options and for variations in wind and sun exposure.

offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds
offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds

Summer opens and invites in community; with diagonal movement connecting offset and shaded external spaces.

Here living holds minimal interior use, with summer circulation defining informal house boundaries, and the control of sand.

offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds
offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds

Circulation then internalises for winter shut down, with high level northern openings capturing precious northern light and warmth, and offset forms providing shelter to the southern exposure.

The ‘shed’ typology follows New Zealand architectural vernacular accruing from rural and isolated beginnings, and the simple, self erected, elemental buildings still apparent within these remote provincial communities.

offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds
offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds

Within this new set of ‘sheds’, timber pergolas and ceilings collate pathways within simple metal and plasterboard linings to efficiently define offset spaces and welcome an eclectic collection of furniture, the coastal community, and surf.

offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds
offSET Shed House
© Patrick Reynolds


offSET Shed House
North Elevation
offSET Shed House
South Elevation
offSET Shed House
East Elevation
offSET Shed House
West Elevation


offSET Shed House
Site Plan
offSET Shed House
Floor Plan

Irving Smith Architects
T +64 3 5481372
Irving Smith Architects
96 Collingwood Street, Nelson 7010, New Zealand