Thorp Houses

RESIDENTIAL

• PROJECT

  Thorp Houses

• LOCATION

  Auckland

• AWARDS

  • NZ Home and Entertaining - Home of the Year Finalist 2007

  • Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects Local Award 2007

“…the assured composition of volume, light, and materiality creating a rare spatial experience of both elevation and repose. An intelligent manipulation of structure allows the building envelope to dissolve, leaving a perfectly framed view of the sea through dappled light filtered by pohutakawa leaves.”

This project represents the rare possibility of designing two houses on adjacent sites. The buildings are similar in form and massing but different in plan, with subtle variations of materials and colour to offer individuality.

Each house is approximately 500sqm, stretched along the relatively narrow sites from road to sea. Each has three two story elements linked by narrow circulation routes. This strategy ensures light and spaciousness infiltrates all spaces within the building and creates intimate light-filled courtyards landscaped with flowing water and sparse planting.

A rich variety of spaces exist within the buildings, ranging from double-height living areas open to the sea views, to more internalised lounges nestled into falling land at the more road end of the sites.