Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/4 | Page 46
“Essentially, the house has a duality,
– it forms a dialogue between the two.
A rectilinear circulation spine and stair
tower address the built environment to
the west, while sweeping roof forms and
decks play off the natural environment
and the curves of the dunes.”
The house comprises two main pods,
one accommodating the living areas and
several bedrooms, and the other housing
the master suite. Bridges link rooms on
different levels, with one bridge leading to
the top of a circular lookout tower.
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Sparks says the dimensions of the site
determined a north-south axis, which
meant all spaces could enjoy the view to
the east.
“However, the nature of the site
offered a far richer experience than simply
the big ocean view,” the architect says.
“The house provides a series of viewing
platforms, stretched along the length of
the site and stacked through the various
layers of vegetation.
“The lower levels very much engage
with the undercroft of the banksias and
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melaleucas, and the wildlife of the pond.
As you move up through the building the
experience changes. At the middle level
you look through the tree canopy; on the
upper level you look over it to the ocean;
and finally, when you reach the lookout
nest, you can see the entire coastline.”
The expansive use of glass, including
clerestories, maximises these outlooks.
“The curved roofs sweep up, echoing
the rise and fall of the vegetation, and the
walls beneath these roofs are glazed, as are
the roofs of the tower elements.”