While most of us dream of vacationing in a lush, luxurious paradise, some of us are lucky enough to live in one. This exotic S-shaped house in Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand, designed by Glamuzina Paterson Architects Ltd. for a family of five, is enough to satisfy both basic natural needs and the most sophisticated tastes.
The homeowners wanted a place that responded directly to the natural lay of the land, with a connection to the yard and pool. Thus the architects designed this S-shaped structure that meanders its way through this long, lean landscaped property, dividing the east native garden and the west exotic sculpted garden. The two distinctive landscaping styles reflect the diverse tastes of the homeowners. “The house becomes the active space between the gardens, and offers the occupants multiple views and sectional level changes as they move through the site,” explain to the architects.
From the outside, the stained cedar and glass structure stands humbly among the trees and foliage. Its scale – plenty to accommodate two adults and three kids – is dramatically downplayed by its unusual shape that extends back from the street. A continuous corrugated iron roof twists and turns with the home’s undulating form, like a spine.
The home’s look and feel is elegant and modern, yet warm. Its elongated layout maximizes views of nature and sunlight, affording every room a gorgeous green view framed by massive windows. The main hallway, or the “spine,” connects the home’s main living areas without sacrificing privacy or social interaction.
Inside, this modern house is very black and white – literally. The black oxide concrete floor, white walls and built in furniture give it a clean, contemporary edge.
Glamuzina Paterson Architects Ltd.
Via Freshome
