Two Peaks
The quintessential kiwi beach break becomes iconic in an expat’s mind, often far from their homeland in both distance and feeling. Such was the case for New Plymouth born-and-bred clients who found themselves abroad for work. Holding the Taranaki paradigm close, their express desire was to experience, celebrate, and live this kiwi ideal to the most when on return visits to the homeland. Coming home means togetherness, family, gatherings of friends and relatives alike, BBQs surfboards, sandy feet… basically stocking up on everything awesomely NZ that is missed while away.
2020 NZIA Western Architecture Award
Registered Master Builder House of the Year
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Built: 2020
Engineer: BCD Group
Builder: Petersen Barnes Building Company
Images: Andy Spain PhotographyWhen the clients secured a section in the well-established beachside suburb of Strandon, a stone’s throw from the warm waves of East End Beach, the design brief was exactly that. With an existing house sitting on the back half of the property, the large front lawn was to make way for a second home which would complement the first and extend the accommodation and entertainment capacity over the two dwellings.
The main bulk of the new house sits along the street edge, in keeping with the neighbourhood context, protecting and privatising the open space to the northwest, between the two dwellings. Dark horizontal cedar weatherboards wrap the ground floor, public activity zones and ground the house in its site. Then, in reference to the region’s iconic mountain – visible from the deck – bright, vertical cedar rises up to clad the two-storeyed gable containing bedrooms. (The building’s two other gables, lower and darker over garage and living, are subtle acknowledgements of the Fanthams and Pouakai peaks, eclipsed by the impressiveness of Taranaki itself but which together make up the mountain cluster.)
Entertainment is prioritised with ground floor spaces opening up to a large semi-covered deck drenched in all-day sun. The main gable is expressed on the inside, lined with unfinished plywood. This, along with an exposed concrete floor, generous openings to the north and west, and light, reflective walls lend an airy, relaxed feel to the interior. In typical bach style, rooms are designed to multifunction according to the season and number of inhabitants; the second lounge can function as a fourth bedroom, and a mezzanine loft provides a fun break out space which can sleep extras.
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The compact home acts as an infill dwelling which helps to densify and activate the existing neighbourhood where local amenities and the public transport system are close by.
Oriented to the sun, its high-performing thermal envelope with above-code insulation to walls and roof, along with thermally-broken, double-glazed joinery and an insulated slab works passively to regulate the interior temperature throughout the year without a reliance on electrical energy. When it does get really cold, an energy-efficient radiant central heating system can be deployed.
Natural materials have been used throughout the build, inside and out, with a focus on natural finishes such as a plant-based wax floor sealant and waterbased paints and stains.
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2021 NZIA Western Architecture Award
Winner - HousingJury's comment: This city beach house sits nicely in its city fringe location and deals well with both the streetscape and the infill nature of the site. Playful spaces capture the imagination and provide moments of enjoyment. The thoughtfulness applied to detailing flows through to the considered use of natural materials and finishes to provide a beautiful and healthy home.
Registered Master Builder House of the Year
National: National Category Winner, Top 100
Regional: Regional Supreme House of the Year, Pink Batts Craftsmanship, Regional Category Winner, Regional APL Sustainable Excellence, Regional Outdoor Living, Regional GoldJury's comment: Relaxed vibes abound in this cedar home where it’s a holiday all year round. A beachy feel defines this small, yet practical cedar home, set across two storeys. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two living rooms make the home feel larger than its actual 180sqm floor area. Part of this is due to the stunning high-raking rooflines and matching internal ceiling heights.
Other impressive features include grooved plywood linings, birch plywood ceilings and built-in joinery. There’s even an aluminium ladder which leads to the mezzanine floor – perfect for those seeking some ‘me’ time. With various timber ceiling and wall surfaces combined with white kitchen cupboards and decor, the aesthetic is light and fresh. Concrete floors are durable and easy to clean. After a busy day, wind down on the window seat which opens out through bifold windows, or in the outdoor living area that’s also perfect for entertaining. As the beach is just a five-minute walk away, the outdoor shower is the ideal addition for washing off sandy feet.
