Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 1 New Zealand | Page 46
Creating an attractive and
private outdoor living area
was another priority. This
helped to determine the decision to create a long stone wall
that forms a key axis parallel to
the boundary.
“We chose granite because
we wanted something organic
and textural that would be a
strong landscape feature,” says
Arango. “The wall features
vertical panels of split slate,
44
cut from the end blocks of the
stone. Vertical slots allow light
to pass through. They also
provide glimpses of the view
beyond without compromising
privacy.”
Arango says the client
wanted a very clean-lined,
contemporary house, with a
design that wouldn’t date.
“It was important that the
house would not be able to be
attributed to a specific period.”
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The architecture recalls
Modernist themes with strong
horizontal lines and extensive
glazing. The upper level is
clad in teak wood and glass,
and framed by a deep band of
white stone.
“The top storey is a more
monolithic element, which
provides a strong contrast to
the transparent, glass-walled
base of the house,” says
Molina. “The heavy upper
floor appears to float above the
ground.”
The formal entry to the
house passes through the
granite wall, but the pathway
first crosses a bridge over a
reflection pool.
“We wanted the entry to
be quite processional,” Molina
says. “The bridge invites you
to step over towards the front
door. The entry is also very
deep, with stone wrapping