Strachan Group Architects

Nikau House

Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring

NIKAU HOUSE

Strachan Group Architects

ARCHITECTS
Strachan Group Architects

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Strachan Group Architects

ENGINEER
Thorne Dwyer Structures

DESIGN TEAM
Dave Strachan, Pat de Pont, Jessica Knight

BUILDER
Dave McGillivray

PHOTOGRAPH
Jackie Meiring

AREA
230.0 sqm

LOCATION
Waitemata, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Sited in Auckland's inner city suburb of Parnell, the Nikau House is the first of a newly developed subdivision; the conception of private and responsive spaces for the client, a semi-retired couple was essential for conceived future conditions as well as ensuring that existing aspects of the site were acknowledged.

Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring
Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring
Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring

The clients wanted a light, airy Scandinavian modernist design aesthetic in a house that could easily accommodate visitors and family when they come to stay.

The challenge lay in creating an innovative design within a tight urban context whilst still providing privacy, amenity and quality of indoor and outdoor space on a small site.

A key consideration was providing ample wall space to display the couple's art collection and feature shelving to store their books.

Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring
Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring

The building steps with the site's natural contour, creating over height spaces to the West, and allowing for the library's tall shelving wall.

Considered placement of windows frame the views to the lush green bush gully, existing Nikau palms and the Waitemata Harbour to the North.

Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring
Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring
Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring

The Zincalume trapezoidal roofing wraps around the structure to form the Eastern wall - combined with slatted exterior timber screens to provide further privacy from future developments.

An intrinsic approach to sustainable design is demonstrated in the garden and solar water systems, thermal mass and cross-ventilated spaces.

Timber decking is used internally to create a floor that breathes, this combined with internal timber louvers in the upper level bedrooms creates convection airflow to passively heat and cool the home.

Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring
Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring

The slatted screens also act as shading devices, helping to regulate the internal temperatures - casting patterns of shadow on the sunlit interior spaces.

Materials have been selected for durability and a refined aesthetic. The timber and light colour palette reference Scandinavian design and provide a backdrop to emphasise the bold modern art collection. The result for the satisfied clients is a serene, quiet urban retreat with an understated luxury.

Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring

Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring
Nikau House
© Jackie Meiring


Nikau House
Upper Level Plan
Nikau House
North Elevation
Nikau House
South Elevation
Nikau House
East Elevation
Nikau House
West Elevation


Nikau House
Section
Nikau House
Section
Nikau House
Sketch


Nikau House
Lower Floor Plan
Nikau House
Site Plan

Strachan Group Architects
T +64 9 6386302
Strachan Group Architects
26 Rossmay Terrace, Kingsland, Auckland 1024, New Zealand