Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 12 New Zealand | Page 23

Attic

First floor

Ground floor

“Having both wings in the same
material would have been boring and
given them the same importance,” says
Arango. “To establish a different hierarchy
and to help break up the mass, the front
wing is clad in granite while the rear wing
is clad in fair-faced concrete.”
The water courtyard between them
forms a focal point of the home. It is
planted with two willow trees, bringing
greenery into the house, and allowing
indirect natural light into the living area.
But the most impressive feature of the

home is the way glass panels on both sides
of the living and dining rooms can slide
back to completely open them up.
This creates a seamless transition
between spaces, starting from the lap pool
and garden at the front, to the front wing
living room, through the courtyard and all
the way to the kitchen in the rear block.
The void of the central courtyard also
ensures cross-ventilation throughout the
house. As hot air rises here, it pulls cooler
air into the various rooms creating an efficient internal circulation system.

Preceding pages: The living area on the ground
floor of the front wing can be fully opened up to
the courtyard pool on one side and the garden
and swimming pool on the other, ensuring crossventilation to keep the house cool.
Facing page top and above: The guest bathroom
is at attic level in the rear wing. It is naturally
ventilated through a screen behind the mirror.
Plans: The layout optimises space and privacy.
Facing page lower: This study room in the rear
wing doubles as a reception and meeting area.

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