Enclave Houses Remuera

CONTEXT

This development continues an exploration of suburban living in the context of typically developer driven housing and the on-going pressure on land in Auckland. A pair of identical townhouses on a characteristic suburban re-development site, the Enclave houses were conceived as a speculative venture, their design intended as a modern take on the traditional townhouse.

DESIGN

The proportions and simple roof forms of these homes prove immediately familiar and provide a sense of place in this conservative neighbourhood.

The developer's brief has successfully been extended to encompass issues of durability, sustainability and energy conservation. Natural durable materials - raw plaster; cedar; zinc roofing and spouting; aluminium and stainless steel - provide a sense of agelessness and low maintenance practicability.

The buildings are heavily insulated and oriented to the sun to take advantage of passive solar heat gain and the thermal mass of the concrete floors. Summer sun control is provided by exterior aluminium louvres and canopy overhangs with operable glass louvres allowing good cross ventilation.

Planning is expansive with high ceilings and varied volumes providing interest to the interior. The use of large, sliding, glazed doors effectively removes large sections of wall allowing living spaces to take maximum advantage of the outdoor landscaped area and water feature. The kitchen-dining-family rooms run seamlessly into the terrace forming a notional 'verandah' where traditional indoor/outdoor boundaries are blurred.

NZIA Resene Local Award Winner 2004 Judges comment

"A well considered response to a developers brief has created a striking pair of contemporary urban villas which respond well to their site and context. Double volume spaces, galleries and sliding walls cleverly evoke a spaciousness which belies the tightly organised planning."