Studio2 Architects

The Crossing

The Crossing
© Simon Devitt

THE CROSSING

Studio2 Architects

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Paul Clarke

DESIGN TEAM
Paul Clarke, Brett Gerrard

AREA
130.4 sqm

PHOTOGRAPHS
Simon Devitt

PROJECT YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Pakiri, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

The Crossing is a private home built on the original cattle tablelands overlooking Pakiri Beach.

The house fuses together a limited material palette of concrete, blue steel, and oiled cedar into a bold and incredibly dynamic space, allowing the owner (a professional writer) genuine flexibility to entertain, while acknowledging the need for the relative solitude of a working studio space.

The Crossing
© Simon Devitt
The Crossing
© Simon Devitt
The Crossing
© Simon Devitt

The form of the house is immediately and boldly sculptural; at once reflecting the traditional rural steel farm buildings of the area, and the dramatic local landscape. The sophisticated position of the hilltop home is a reflection of its ability to capture sun and views.

The design consists of two primary axis; a long north-south facing corridor (extended by a 10m concrete ‘walkway’ which brings you to the entrance door) and the other, which intersects the house east to west.

This is an important intersection which reinforces the name ‘The Crossing’, but also divides the house into ‘dark’ bedroom and ‘light’ living spaces.

The Crossing
© Simon Devitt
The Crossing
© Simon Devitt
The Crossing
© Simon Devitt

This was an important design feature brought to life even further by working with a lighting designer from concept stage.

A staircase leads to a studio space, which nests above the kitchen below – and frames a view of Pakiri Beach.

The front of the house is flexible and consists of large sliding doors, which open the space to indoor/outdoor living and a concrete terrace, designed to compliment and acknowledge the form of the roofline above.

The Crossing
© Simon Devitt
The Crossing
© Simon Devitt

The skin of the house is terne coated copper which ‘wraps’ the walls and roof of the house in a continual fold.

By contrast, the interior largely consists of oiled cedar panels, which contrast warmly with the black interior and concrete floors. Steel is incorporated in the panels of the studio and the uniquely sculptural kitchen bench – both locally made.

The Crossing
© Simon Devitt


The Crossing
Section
The Crossing
Section


The Crossing
East Elevation
The Crossing
West Elevation
The Crossing
North Elevation
The Crossing
South Elevation


The Crossing
Plans

Studio2 Architects
T +64 9 3040090
Studio2 Architects
Axis Building, Studio 2, 7/1 Cleveland Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand