By Gil-Plans Architecture
Located on a beachfront site in Kapiti a new large family home was required that needed to have clear separation of living/bedroom spaces for parents and the kids. Other essentials were a pool, media room and views. Upon arrival, the house limits its scale and complexity with a simplistic form and material palette. The scale of the house reveals itself as you reach the double-height glazed entrance foyer which provides views across the centrally located pool. The design is split into two halves with the pool being the center point of the house with the living spaces on the beachside and bedrooms and pool room on the other. Large full height glazed panels blur the transition to the exterior and cladding consists of light coloured cedar to reference the beach setting and white rendered walls for a crisp contras
The owners brought this house with the intention of completing additions to create a family home. A large open-plan area was formed and the kitchen was centrally located in the living space to form the hub of the home. Along with major additions, the house was re-roofed, re-cladded and new windows installed throughout. Crisp white fascia frame the forms and mixed colour steel and weatherboard cladding stay true to the beach bach style in a contemporary manner.
Gil-Plans Architecture is a Kapiti Coast-based architectural practice specialising in residential and light commercial projects “We strive to deliver projects that are purposeful, sympathetically integrate within their setting and touch lightly on the landscape.”
Gil-Plans Architecture is a Kapiti Coast based boutique architectural practice operating since 2004. Since its inception Gil-plans has completed many local and national projects to great success, winning numerous regional and national ADNZ design awards. Extensive research is undertaken on all projects, with a focus on delivering well considered, sensitive and sustainable design solutions. All projects, large and small, are approached with the same passion and integrity ensuring outstanding outcomes are delivered. Combining their wealth of knowledge and resources, Gil-plans Architecture takes pride in precise and detailed documentation, achieved through meticulous work within their talented and multi-disciplinary team.
Ben Gilpin - Lead Designer and Director of Gil-plans Architecture. (Dip Arch Technology, ADNZ professional member)
Ben has a true passion for architecture and prides himself on a rigorous approach to design. Ben strongly believes great architecture is uplifting and enjoys working closely with clients as a collaborative to deliver on their specific requirements. Ben focuses on understanding the clients brief and analysing the sites context to ensure great design solutions are delivered specific to each and every site. True to the principal that form follows function Ben applies both considerations from the outset to ensure the design first meet the functional requirements of a client’s brief, but also that the design has a well-considered, balanced and striking form.
From working in construction prior to pursuing his design career Ben ensures practical knowledge is applied to all projects providing cost effective design focused solutions.
Andrew Simpson - Designer and Associate at Gil-plans Architecture, Director of WireDog Architecture (BArch, ADNZ professional Member)
Andrew grew up on the Kapiti Coast and is a member of the Gil-plans design team. He was previously the director of WireDog Architecture, a multi-award winning practice based in Waikanae. Andrew was the winner of the ADNZ Supreme Award in 2019.
Andrew prides himself on a rigorous approach to design, focussing on the responsibility of architectural design to both the clients, the site and the long term impacts of construction. Architecture should not just aim to minimise long term impacts but be restorative. Andrew’s has held previous roles in leading architectural practices such as Parsonson Architects and Jasmax.