Young Architects

Scarborough Bêton Brut House

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge

SCARBOROUGH BÊTON BRUT HOUSE

Young Architects

DESIGN TEAM
Greg Young, Andy McLeod, Blake McCutcheon

COLLABORATORS
Ingrid Geldof Design, Lume Design, Jane Swinard Design

MANUFACTURERS
GRAPHISOFT, Herman Pacific, Metro, Design Windows/APL, FIRTH, Johnson & Couzins, Nuralite

LEAD ARCHITECT
Greg Young Anzia

ENGINEERING
Engco Consulting Engineers

CLIENT
D & J Anderson

LANDSCAPE
Texture Group

PHOTOGRAPHS
Lightforge

AREA
425 m²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Christchurch, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Concrete was a necessity on the very steep, geotechnically challenging site, so we chose to embrace it.

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge

MATERIALITY -

Concrete was kept naked and raw. expressing the variations in texture and color inherent within its composition as well as a result of the construction methodology to place it.

Walls were kept natural in color and sealed with a matte finish, while floors were colored dark charcoal and finished with a gloss polished luster.

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge

The rear wall of the living space is a black stained oak panel, while ceilings and side walls in the living space are dressed cedar shiplap boards.

This material palette was selected to complement each other aesthetically, as well as being fit for purpose functionally.

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge

The exposed concrete acts as a heat sink, as well as fulfilling its structural purpose. The cedar boarding gives warmth as well as makes the spaces more comfortable acoustically.

And to finish it off, the frameless glass with its glass fins captures the amazing view as seamlessly as possible.

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge

SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT -

Rooms are placed along with the topography, allowing maximum exposure to the expansive views from the spaces that are lived in, while circulation spaces, service rooms, and the Withdrawing Room are positioned away from the view and light.

Particularly for the Withdrawing Room, this also gives the option for a darker, more intimate space.

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge

The textures and lighting in the Withdrawing Room also differ from the more open spaces, accentuating this.

TRANSPARENCY VS SOLIDITY -

Openness, and privacy are controlled through careful consideration of glazing positions.

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge

While the home's aspect is predominantly towards the afternoon sun, light is channeled into the kitchen in the morning through clerestory windows, and also down the open tread stair.

Solid walls are positioned carefully giving protection thermally and structurally, as well as practically.

Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge


Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
© Lightforge


Scarborough Bêton Brut House
Plan - Site 
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
Plan - 1st Floor 
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
Plan - 2nd Floor 
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
Plan - 3rd Floor 


Scarborough Bêton Brut House
Elevation 01 
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
Elevation 02 
Scarborough Bêton Brut House
Section 

Young Architects
T +64 3 3847879
Young Architects
61 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand