This Auckland site is elevated and north facing with stunning views of St Heliers and the Hauraki Gulf. The existing old house on the site didn't make the most of the views and so it was decided to demolish it and start from scratch. We located the three level house at the top of the site, near the road to take advantage of the sun and views. The entry is at street level as are the main living spaces, main bedroom and en-suite. The owners wanted an apartment feel to the main floor which is where they will mainly live, with an eye to their future retirement lifestyle. We dug into the land to form the three basement bedrooms, media room and pool access while a formal living area and den are located on the top floor opening out to the north-west facing decks and views. The building forms of the three levels overlap and we took advantage of that to make a dramatic double-height entry, although an internal space at ground level, the upper area has large windows making it a light filled space. It contrasts with the main living areas which have lower ceilings which focus your eyes down to the view. Most of the large windows face away from the street for privacy and to gain the most of sun and views. Finishes are stained cedar, bagged and painted brick, colorsteel roofing and aluminium joinery. Passive solar design was incorporated including double glazing, insulation above codes, and designing glazed areas to maximise winter sun.

Noting the site context, our concept was to work to the maximum building heights allowed and step a series of forms down from the top of the site to gain the best views possible from every floor including decks. To gain the maximum height we angled the house half way along so the highest portion of the building could be in the middle of the site away from boundaries. This angle also directed the house axis towards the view more fully. We used Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural device of alternating compression and expansion to enliven the journey through the building. From the external covered walkway to the double height lofty internal atrium entry, to the lower living spaces and out to the open north facing views, the result is an effective and memorable series of contrasting moments through the main living level. The base of the building at street level, is clad in bagged brick giving a solid feel to the entry and garage areas. Over that is a floating cedar form which also contrasts in colour and weight. Some of the forms are offset & slip over each other to make ceilings above walkways and visual interest to the overall form of the building, inside and out. We applied voids into the basic forms for function, light, and interest and sloped the roof minimally as required, but they are secondary to the main forms which are still dominant. Although the initial idea was of simple unaligned stacked boxes, the result is a home with complexity and visual interest which the owners are delighted with.