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Project by
Year of completion
2022

Read the full Project of the Month article here.

Located on the leeward slope of the sand-dunes bordering Ocean Beach reserve in Tairua, Tent house is set 100m back from the water’s edge with the brow of the dune just beyond the site’s sea-ward boundary.

The design response anchors a tent-like form into the back slope of the sand dune.

Views from upper levels were available to the East to Shoe Island, South-east to Paku Hill, Northeast along the coast and west to the Coromandel Ranges and these became important drivers for the planning arrangement.

Guest and kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms on the ground floor are pushed to the edges of the plan to allow for a central entry, kitchenette and rumpus room linking the western entrance to the rising dune to the east. Seat height door sills open to raised decks and to the rising landform.

Moving up through the nautically curved circulation, the main bedroom suite peels off to the right, while directly ahead another small level shift elevates dining and kitchen spaces. The breaking surf is experienced from this ‘indoor verandah’ and to the west, a lower roofed BBQ area offers a compressed contrast to the Kitchen/Dining volumes.

Stepping down from the kitchen, a snug lounge and outdoor room with fireplace, again make a connection to the sand dune and beach access.

Photography © Jackie Meiring

Awards and
recognition

2023
NZIA Waikato & Bay of Plenty Awards
Tent House - Housing Winner
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Project of the Month | Tent House | Strachan Group Architects

About the
Professional

Strachan Group Architects is a multiple award-winning Auckland practice. Grounded in a specific and detailed first-hand knowledge of construction the team brings a highly developed sense of craft to the task of creating sustainable buildings with precision and elegance.

The keen sense of attention that the practice brings to the interpretation of a client’s brief is equalled by a rich and complex understanding of how to respond to the subtleties of site, the impacts of the natural environment, and the many contexts within which a building must operate. To these qualities SGA adds a precise understanding of the requirements of construction, with an advanced level of experience of prefabrication and the use of digitally controlled machinery in the fabrication of building elements under tightly controlled conditions.

SGA takes pride in it's ability to communicate ideas about building as they develop in conversation with clients, consultants and contractors. This skill has been honed in the extensive involvement the practice has had in education, where it has delivered a number of design/build projects with architecture students that have been recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Architects by a series of Awards.

Recognised by their peers as an innovative and exciting practice, SGA consists of a group of highly skilled people with a diverse range of complimentary skills. This flexible team is highly attuned to new developments in the building industry, appreciated by their many clients and capable of undertaking work at any scale.

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.