Located on the Eastern coastline of the Huaraki Gulfs, Great Barrier Island the Sandhills Road House by Fearon Hay Architects is a relaxed holiday home that references the traditional New Zealand Bach (pronounced as in bachelor) — a simple, low maintenance weekender.
Sheds and a Tarpaulin
You might not see it at first, but the home takes its design cues from the most basic of structures — two sheds linked by stretched tarpaulin. The house consists of two habitable areas joined by an expansive floating pavilion. Wide expanses of sliding glass doors and adjustable blinds allow the pavilion to respond to different environmental conditions while providing the location for eating dining and relaxing within the natural surrounds of the property.
Traditional Bach Sensibilities
Clad in band sawn ply sheet the 'sheds' are a modern take on the use of vernacular building materials. Coupled with the use of permeable metal screens the ability to manipulate the view and environment from within the 'sheds', is another reference to traditional notions of holiday homes and response to site. As locations for the bedrooms and bathrooms these spaces offer a sense of refuge from the open pavilion space.
Sitting Comfortably
A roof deck on top of the Northern 'shed', offers stunning sea views, which are otherwise restricted by the site location behind the sand dunes and nestled amongst the neighbouring properties. Standing on the roof deck looking South-West towards ageing corrugated farm sheds and looking North-East towards the expansive seascape, the Sandhills Road House sits comfortably within its environment — offering a private retreat while allowing an occupation that embraces the surrounding landscape and context.
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