Nightlight fills a gap in a historic clearing of the kānuka belt that wraps around the Akaroa township in Banks Peninsula.
Timber was used wherever possible to ensure the building was negative embodied carbon and low maintenance.
Practically this building provides services and tool storage for a long term vision to regenerate the land and build a forever home.
Mist Green steel slots comfortably into the environment.
LVL framing is warm in tone to welcome users. In contrast, the exterior has been left to silver off mimicking the kānuka trunks.
By day, the timber screen filters light and views to provide a constant connection to the surrounding bush when inside.
By night, it shines bright thanks to its polycarbonate shell. This offers light to an otherwise dark site and creates a light sculpture to be enjoyed from the future dwelling.
Outdoor services make living on site today possible and are a special experience for users thanks to their location high up in the trees.
Practically this building was to provide services and tool storage for the owners long term vision to regenerate the land and build their forever home. Once that home is complete, this structure needs to slot into and enhance its surroundings, rather than detract from them.
The response is a structure enveloped in a lattice of timber that mimics the surrounding trunks of the kānuka tree line it is positioned in. This light sculpture glows bright at night which is a contrasting aesthetic to the minimalist facade seen throughout the day.
Judges comment:
“Raw, structural timber, exposed fixings and sage elements have come together to create a sophisticated form within the trees. A minimalist structure during the day and a glowing beauty at night, the design effortlessly embraces colour through the likes of shape, texture and light.”
Awards:
ADNZ Resene Colour Award National Finalist
NZIA New Zealand Architecture Awards Winner
NZIA Canterbury Architecture Awards Winner
Here Magazine Small Project Winner
Best Awards Lighting Design Silver
Best Awards Residential Bronze