Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 33 No 1 New Zealand | Page 51

Ground floor plan
Some houses are built to catch the sun while others are designed to maximise their sites , and still others celebrate a sculptural beauty within . This home ’ s well-considered design works well on all fronts – both literally and metaphorically .
The owners asked architectural designer Darren O ’ Neil for a timeless , contemporary and functional family home . At the same time , it had to be energy efficient , private and offer exceptional indoor-outdoor living .
“ This well-balanced home fulfils these goals , and more ,” says O ’ Neil . “ Another request was that it work well with its surroundings and , to achieve this , its stacked form doesn ’ t dominate the streetscape while the classic cedar cladding echoes the weatherboard on an adjacent villa .”
The plan follows an L shape with the base of the L facing the street . This facade has limited windows , ensuring privacy . However , on arrival at the glass front door , visitors enjoy a vista down a circulation corridor that runs the length of the home . Forming the long section of the L , this spine has public spaces positioned to the right and ground floor bedrooms to the left .
The second level , containing the master suite , looks at first glance like a regular square
Previous pages and above left : This house by designer Darren O ’ Neil is a pleasing composition of blocks , planes and lines . The cedar cladding will silver while the copper spacers and corner soakers will verdigris over time .
Legend : 1 entry , 2 lounge , 3 living , 4 dining , 5 kitchen , 6 scullery , 7 laundry , 8 bedroom , 9 bathroom , 10 toilet , 11 wardrobe , 12 pool , 13 outdoor living , 14 garage , 15 driveway , 16 stairs , 17 service court , 18 gas fire , 19 outdoor fire , 20 garden , 21 lawn , 22 gallery .
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