Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 32 No 3 New Zealand | Page 53

of each bay is a sliding glass panel, while
the other half is an array of adjustable
glass louvres.
On the outside of this internal glass
skin, each bay has an external sunscreen
of perforated stainless steel. When closed,
these provide shade and filtered light to
the interiors.
But each of the screens is electronically
operable and can fold up to give a completely transparent view.
“Because each screen can be operated
independently, the house always looks

different, depending on what’s open or
closed. It’s a very transparent house, even
when the screens are down.”
The layered components and flexible nature of the facade also contribute
to the home’s passive design by allowing breezes to circulate and diffuse light
to penetrate all the interior spaces. Green
roofs on top of both of the blocks contribute to the natural cooling effect.
The result is a home that, despite its
tropical setting, can be lived in with minimal or even no use of air conditioning.

Facing page, top: The double-height living area
has a walkway and library around the edge of the
second level.
Facing page, lower: Nearly everything in the
interior was custom designed, including the
kitchen and dining table.
Above: Each window bay is fitted with a sliding
glass panel and glass louvres, allowing cross
ventilation throughout the interior when they are
opened. The result is a passive design that, despite
the home’s tropical location, saves energy through
minimal or no use of air conditioning.

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