An elegantly moody home perched above Taylor's Mistake Bay took out the 2020 ADNZ Resene Architectural Colour in Design Award.
Designed by Aaron Jones of Urban Function Architecture for a young family, the home needed to successfully navigate the steep East facing site, while working within tight budgetary constraints.
To build cost effectively, the decision was made to keep the building footprint touching the ground, while keeping the overall square meterage to a minimum (75m2 on each level).
In order to make the most of the stunning coastal views, the floor height was established by using a Go-Pro on a 5metre pole, then the footage studied to ensure the home framed the views perfectly.
A pitch black interior with elements of timber to soften the space along with huge expanses of glazing create the perfect backdrop to the stunning views seen from all angles of this home. Cave-like in feel, the windows act as naturally changing artworks, while the raking ceilings which echo the contours of the surrounding landscape create an immense feeling of space and openness on a small footprint.
While often a black interior can evoke feelings of being closed in, Taylor’s successfully demonstrates the transformative effects colour can have on a space, while creating a perfectly balanced, and striking hillside retreat.
Photography by Stephen Entwisle.