By Mason & Wales Architects
Read ArchiPro's article on Coastal Retreat.
Type
New Coastal Residence
Size
430m2
Year
2019
The design brief for the Coastal Retreat was for a family home on a rural site, overlooking Warrington Beach and the tidal inlet of Blueskin Bay. Set high on an exposed coastal headland, the architectural form is robust, sheltered from the wind and reflects the rural environment.
Reminiscent of the vernacular barn, the house is crafted entirely of wood to reflect the character of durable farm buildings. The architectural design is shaped in a collection of simple timber wedge like forms that are orientated to capture the separate views of the coastline and to create shelter, whilst also separating the living areas and bedroom wings.
The landscape design is strongly connected with its natural environment. A continuation of native coastal planting of tussocks, ngaios and flaxes extenuate from the dunes of the beach below to reach the house above, which add to the intensity of the rugged coastal environment.
Mason & Wales Architects is an award-winning Registered New Zealand Institute of Architects practice based in the South Island of New Zealand.
Mason & Wales is the first Architectural practice in the country, founded in 1862 by William Mason, the first Architect to live and work in New Zealand and the first Mayor of Dunedin.
During its history the firm has been responsible for the design of a large number of notable buildings throughout New Zealand, and has established valued relationships with clients, consultants and contractors alike.
Mason & Wales work with clients from all over the world on a range of projects of all sizes and types, including Master Planning, Institutional, Hospitality, Commercial, Multi-Residential, Houses and Interiors.
The team works collectively from their Dunedin office, and from Queenstown and Wanaka, with a commitment to making a positive contribution to the built environment. Mason & Wales designs and delivers architecture which strives to be enduring and sustainable to enrich the lives of our clients and the community.
Mason & Wales have built a reputation on the enduring principles of quality, value and professionalism, which is evident in their portfolio of completed work.