Eleanor is not just another ata project. She has a beautiful story and one we won’t forget. One of our first clients, the Woon’s, came back to us to design their for-keeps home. A fairly typical subdivision in Papamoa and a mere Frisbee throw to the beach. The house and landscaping were to be in complete harmony to create a calm and private escapement. She also needed to double as a lodge for when family came to stay. Two simple gable forms, perpendicular to each other, were the core branches where everything grew. One separates and privatizes the rear yard. The other, two-story, provides protection from prevailing winds and importantly affords the upstairs bedrooms north-facing aspect.

On entry, a highly detailed light-well sets the tone for this classically current home. This void also provides views to the garden, upper level, and main living areas. The open living is cleverly demarcated with a battened ceiling rhythm and a two-sided fire. The exposed concrete slab in the living combined with precise joinery placement provides passive solar gain and passive ventilation. Hydronic central heating, in-floor and from radiators, is powered by a highly efficient German-designed heat pump. The volume and full height joinery defy her compact footprint. The ceiling steps down to a more intimate and comforting snug space. The kitchen has direct access to courtyards on both sides with views of the pool. Externally, the brick is semi-bagged and finished in a warm white Porters lime wash paint. This treatment will naturally patina with time giving an organic feel. The matte finish blends beautifully with soft tones of grey and vertical cedar. Paired with a custom ATA aluminium angle screen, the aesthetic is refined further with our noded brick columns.

Eleanor, Greek for ‘bright, shining one’, holds her head high in this coastal development of sameness.