Swinson Residence

By Archimedia

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Replacing a small bach on a flat, narrow site over the road from Onetangi Beach, this new house was sited to maximise views and privacy and to blend into the local environment. The owners, who have for many years commuted to Auckland, requested their new home retain a ‘beachy’ feel, include separate guest accommodation and be sensitive to neighbours.

Planning rules restricted building coverage to 160m2. The house has been divided into 2 blocks separated by a courtyard and built against a continuous plastered masonry wall along its western side. The main house on the seaward side contains the ‘L’ shaped open plan sitting, dining, and kitchen space at ground floor with varying ceiling heights and groupings of stacker doors framing views.

A polished concrete floor extends to terraces on the beach side and to the central courtyard, which provides a sheltered, private refuge away from the road.

The 4m wide upper level, clad in horizontal cedar boards and off set from the ground floor spaces, contains the main bedroom suite which projects out towards the water. A mono-pitch roof folds down to form the windowless western wall which reduces bulk and provides privacy.

This is repeated over the rear, cedar-clad block containing 2 guest bedrooms which merge into the pohutukawa canopy above the garage.

Waiheke Island,  2003

Project Team:  Hamish Cameron

Photography:  Trends

Professionals used in
Swinson Residence

Archimedia
Archimedia
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About the
Professional

Archimedia is a New Zealand architecture practice with NZRAB and Green Star accredited staff, offering design services in the disciplines of architecture, interiors and ecology.

Archimedia uses the word “ecology” to extend the concept of sustainability to urban design and master planning and integrates this holistic strategy into every project.

Archimedia prioritises client project requirements, functionality, operational efficiency, feasibility, and programme. Once these fundamentals are soundly established, Archimedia pursues a sculptural architecture expressive of individual or collective identity.

Identity

  • Archimedia practices architecture as “material identity” – a crafted expression of individual or collective “identity” – embodying a synthesis of people, place and time.
  • Archimedia investigates “identity” with each client and endows buildings with a perceptible meaning that expresses this “identity” – the philosophical parti for all Archimedia projects.
  • Archimedia respects all cultures and their protocols and the fundamental connectedness of all humanity.

Human Experience

  • Archimedia is ambitious for the betterment of both humankind and the environment.
  • Archimedia approachs design with the intent that human beings register an “experience” of architecture which uplifts their daily existence.

Environment

  • Archimedia strives for “beauty”, the exceptional and the inspirational in each and every commission, irrespective of budget.
  • Archimedia believes in tectonics – a poetic configuration of land, space and structure.
  • Archimedia believes in positive intervention – sustainability that enhances eco-systems.

Process

  • Archimedia believes that the very best process and the very best technology are critical contributors in our quest for the exceptional.
  • Archimedia invests resources to create a better design solution.

Collaboration

  • Archimedia believes in collaboration between equals and the power of teamwork.
  • Archimedia's staff are consultative by nature and use processes that encourage user decision making wherever possible.
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