Point House Mangawhai Heads
CONTEXT
A holiday retreat set at the foot of a steep, south facing,
manuka clad sand bank; a long, narrow jetty structure is inserted
into the bush with minimal impact on the slope.
DESIGN
The building is a platform from which the owners can indulge
their passion for the bush environment. Large sliding doors,
bridges & decks reach out like fingers into the bush
reinforcing the connection between the landscape and the living
environments.
The roof is pitched up, gesturing upwards to the slope, the
trees and the northern sun. A central glass roofed breezeway
extends the living spaces as a protected indoor/ outdoor deck. The
highly glazed northern façade is naturally sun-protected by the
Manuka covered knoll.
In contrast the southern façade is closed down with its back to
the weather. The cladding wraps around the shoulders like a
Driz-a-bone coat with the sliding shutters in the breezeway acting
as the ventilation flap. The naturally weathered vertical cedar
boarding on the protective southern wall reflects the verticality
of the surrounding Manuka tree trunks.
Home & Entertaining Home Of The Year 2005 Finalist
"Walk up the steps from the entrance to the main living
level and the bush immediately surrounds you. Dave has excelled in
providing a constant connection with the outdoors" Editor Claire
McCall.
NZIA Resene Local Award Winner 2005 Jury Citation
This is a double-sided house that responds well to its
context and brief. A shroud of timber board and batten turns its
back to the street to open up to a glade of trees through glass
curtain windows and doors. The extruded section and linear plan, a
common archetype, suits the site and the client's requirements. The
introduction of covered terrace provides a transitional space
between the living and bedroom areas. The selection of materials,
textures and finishes suit the holiday environment and relate well
to its setting.