Habitus Boatsheds
Strachan Group Architects +
Rachael Rush
On a constrained, compact urban site, a stones throw
from Takapuna Beach, the three-stepped gables of these
black ‘boatsheds’ appropriately reference our boating and
beach culture. The sliding forms reveal a solution beyond
the standard connotations of a home, a bespoke incubator
for the clients’ lifestyle.
The corner site, challenged by two 5m front yards and
the blunt presence of a three-storey neighbour hard on the
North-West boundary, stimulated an approach of layered
complexity with ample transparency to capture light, sun
and glimpses of the pohutukawa and baiting ocean.
The kitchen and bathroom are no exception. The kitchen,
at the centre of the home connects both visually and
physically to multiple, layered indoor and outdoor spaces
with views across the lawn to the sea beyond. Doors slide
back seamlessly to integrate the kitchen bench with the
sheltered and private west facing courtyard and barbeque
area. St ainless steel has been used almost exclusively
to create a functional and industrial centre to the home.
In addition to stainless steel benches and appliances,
Archlinea modules and a customised range-hood that
incorporates a hanging rack for pots have been used.