Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/10 | Page 42

Top, above and above right: The stairs lead up to
a third storey, which was built into the attic level
of the house. This accommodates a third living
area that opens to a large rooftop terrace designed
for entertaining. Materials on this level include
travertine, which clads a long wall that runs
between the inside and out. The underside of the
cantilevered canopy is clad in teak.
Far right: A recessed area at the side of the house
allows natural light to flood the master bathroom.
Story by Colleen Hawkes
Photography by Marc Tey

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via a long, rectangular skylight,” says the
architect. “Traditionally, the downside of
semi-detached houses has been the way
that they are only able to draw in light on
three sides. By adding the skylight, and
keeping the central floor open, natural
light floods the stairwell.”
On the interior, generous 2.8m ceiling
heights help to keep the living spaces light
and airy. So, too, does the design of the
ground-floor living room, which resembles a glass pavilion that opens right up to
the outdoors.

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“This effect is heightened by having
the main structural support set back
from the perimeter walls,” says Tan. “The
glass doors sl ide past the column without
touching, reinforcing the sense of a light
transparent space.”
A similar sense of lightness is created
by the sculptural stairs. The staircase was
cast in concrete, but each tread is wrapped
in limestone.
“The limestone is fixed with shadow
gaps that make the treads appear slightly
detached from one another. It is almost as