Making A Difficult Site A Benefit.
Architectural Designer, Michael Manning, took the step many of us dream of and left the seemingly secure world of corporate design and employment to opt for a more relaxed lifestyle on Whangaparaoa Peninsular north of Auckland. Eight years on and Michael has seen the Peninsular grow from a somewhat sleepy hollow to one of New Zealand’s fastest growing residential areas. Today he is enjoying the fruits of his commitment to excellence and seldom has to venture off the Peninsular for design opportunities. The demand for his work has grown by word of mouth and a reputation for lateral thinking which moves away from the all to frequent brick and tile developments. He has a distinct preference for natural building material such as stone and finds the combinations of materials enhance the overall feeling of each project. Not withstanding his own preferences he prides himself on being attentive to the budgets, aspirations and design styles his clientele is seeking. Each project is a new challenge and each is very different from the last. Michael views this difference as an important aspect of his work particularly as clients come from such a concentrated catchment where aesthetic and economics in resale value go hand in hand and drive the market.
DESIGN?BRIEF
The client’s of this Whangaporaoa project had some clear ideas about the style of their new home which was to be modern, take advantage of the seascape, work within their budget and not the least make the most of the very steep site.
To an extent it was the site and geotect limitations which dictated the style of building. The site is very steep and narrow. The solution was to create three independent modules which cascade down the slope. The upper living modules are linked by a stairwell which features a glass roof which provides light, warmth and sea views.
The foundation is of pole construction giving the lightweight building a suspended appearance. The variety of materials add to the texture and the interaction of levels and plains give the home interest and aesthetic appeal from every angle.
The client was particularly interested in the use of corrugate metallic silver ZRX Colorcote® because of the “graphic”and linear appearance. Costs, maintenance and appearance all playing a part in this decision. The corrugated steel forms the majority of the exterior cladding and has been skillfully blended with stained construction ply for both the visual appeal and the structural integrity of the stand alone modules. ( It should be noted at the time of photography these panels were in the process of being stained.)
Inset cedar panels around doors and window openings compliment the other textures and it is this attention to detail which has become the hallmark of Michael’s work and creates the “differences” he strives to find for his clients.
Simplicity is the art of good design and this is evident throughout this project. The limitations presented by the site have been utilised as benefits providing interest and an indoor and outdoor flow from every location in
the home.
The roof pitch on some plains is less than 8% and in these instances butinol has been used. The various plains and pitches to the roof line have been designed to create interest and provide maximum opportunity for the residence to enjoy the panoramic view of the waterfront and gulf.