HOT HOUSE

“The language of this house references the tradition of creosote homes at the beach, the 1950s/60s bach with a mono-pitch roof and open front;’ says Gary. But it is, very much, the deluxe version. “Not,” they are quick to point out, “a slavish following of a strict formula from the past. We go forward and take from lots of different references and a collection of ingredients to create something new,” Geoff and his family love the home though his three youngest sons (two of whom are at boarding school in Hamilton) say selling the motor camp ruined their romantic lives. There is no longer a large number of young girls turning up for summer holidays for them to hang out with. On the upside, the boys each have a room with a spectacular view of the surf (important to the surf-keen clan) in their own large wing of the new house. In the main house a sinuous thread of black partitioning winds its way casually through the long rectangular floor plan, creating rooms without floor-to-ceiling walls. “There is a fusion of influences going on here,” says Nicholas. “It is a Pacific Rim approach to the bach, similar to what Peter Gordon does with food.” Geoff’s regular winter escapes from the motor camp to Polynesian island resorts led him to want a casual, almost bure style to the house. This wall, wandering back and forth through the house, and the porthole windows enhance the relaxed, playful approach. Geoff employed Philip Smith of 02 Landscapes to design a garden based on coastal native ecology and his interest in unusual sub-tropicals.

Once the project got underway, Geoff had cause to recall the stresses of running the motor camp almost fondly. The subdivision of the camping ground ended up in the Environment Court.” It was the most stress I’ve ever been under;’ he says.With compromises all round,a satisfactory solution was found and building could begin.At the same time Geoff had subdivided the rest of the land into ten titles, all of which quickly sold,mostly to Aucklanders such as Olympic gold medallist Barbara Kendall and well-known Auckland hairdresser Paul Huege de Serville, who had been holidaying there for years. Building the house took a year but now Geoff can stand in h is shower and, through a strategically placed porthole window, check the state of the surf break just 100 metres from his deck. He is currently working to complete two bures, also designed by Stevens Lawson Architects, at the rear of the section adjacent to his, hoping these one-bedroomed buildings will be completed by Labour Weekend. They will be available for rent. Next he’s turning his attention to the old general store. He wants to build a new and improved shop with living accommodation attached.

There may not be as many people around as there were in the motor-camp days but Geoff doesn’t seem to be spending too much time lazing on that huge deck and watching the ocean roll in.

Words Kate Coughlan
Photographs Mark Smith

The main living space incorporates the kitchen, casual and more formal dining and living areas, and flows seamlessly to an outdoor room with a louvred roof.

“This room is open on two sides, with a wood-burning fireplace,” says Jessop. “But with all the stacking doors opened from the kitchen and living room, the entire rear of the house opens up to the outdoors, much like a pavilion.”

The kitchen has a casual, café-style banquette seating area, a 5m-long island and cabinets in white lacquer and dark-stained oak veneer.

“We didn’t really want this to look like a kitchen, so it has more of a modern furniture look,” says the architect. “Much of the storage is within a scullery.”

The island in the kitchen serves several purposes. As well as being the main food preparation area, it is also the social centre of the living area – a casual eating and homework area, and a gathering place for friends to sit with a glass of wine.

To provide separation for children and adults, there is a 3.5m x 4m soundproofed, sunken nook off the main living room. This room, which is a step down from the living area, is used as a home theatre.

The master suite on the top floor overlooks the pool and has a view of the harbour. Here, the boatshed reference is clearly visible in the gable roof and exposed, white-painted rafters. Again, timber slats help screen the sun and provide a buffer between the public and private spaces.

Other rooms on this floor include a study-library, which has a full wall of built-in bookshelves.

An underground wine cellar, with a 20mm-thick glazed ceiling that forms the floor of the entry hallway above, is another feature of the house.

Built-in furniture and bathroom vanity: Form Design

full article here

Click here to view project