Fearon Hay Architects

Sandhills Road House

Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds

SANDHILLS ROAD HOUSE

Fearon Hay Architects

AREA
250.0 m2

YEAR
2008

LOCATION
Great Barrier Island, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Located on the Eastern coastline of the Huaraki Gulfs, Great Barrier Island the ‘Great Barrier House’ is a relaxed holiday destination that references traditional notions of bach occupation.

Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds

Drawing inspiration from the idea of two sheds linked by stretched tarpaulin, the house consists of two habitable areas joined by an expansive floating pavilion.

Wide expanses of sliding glass doors & adjustable blinds allow the pavilion to respond to different environmental conditions while providing the location for eating dining & relaxing within the natural surrounds of the property.

Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds

Clad in band sawn ply sheet the ‘sheds’ provide a modern take on the use of vernacular building materials.

Coupled with the use of permeable metal screens the ability to manipulate outlook and environment from within the ‘sheds’, provides further reference to traditional notions of holiday occupation and response to site.

As locations for the bedrooms and bathrooms these built forms offer a sense of refuge from the open pavilion space. A roof deck upon the Northern ‘shed’, gives outlook and sea views, otherwise restricted by the site location behind the Medlands beach sand dunes and nestled amongst the neighboring properties.

Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds

Standing upon the roof deck looking South-West towards aging corrugated farm sheds and looking North-East towards the expansive seascape, the Great Barrier House sits comfortably within its environment; offering a private retreat while allowing an occupation that embraces the surrounding landscape and context.


Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds
Sandhills Road House
© Patrick Reynolds


Sandhills Road House
Sandhills Road House
Sandhills Road House

Fearon Hay Architects
T +64 9 3090128
Fearon Hay Architects
7/15 Faraday Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand