Mission Bay House, Auckland, New Zealand

This house replaces a degraded existing state house and opens up to views to the north of the sea and west to the garden. The home is a simple two-storey box with a rectangular footprint and a minimal mono-pitched roof.

The main challenge on this narrow section was to bring light down to the ground level without compromising the privacy aspect due to the proximity of neighbouring properties. This was resolved with a generous entry zone with an open void and gallery spaces above.

Lacking views, the lower level consists of secondary rooms, like garage, storage, laundry and a small guest unit with its own entrance courtyard. The upper level is cantilevering over the more functional ground floor, and with the backdrop of ocean views and an expanse of sandy beach, all the main rooms like master, study, living room, open-plan kitchen and dining area are oriented towards this vista.

Clean lines, simple details and neatly proportioned rooms characterise the scheme. Concrete floor tiles and cemented walls throughout give the interior's design a strong identity on a restrained material palette but, still, to have it appear soft and luxurious.

Large expanses of glass towards the sea bring in natural light and desolve the barrier between inside and out. The dining and living space flows through sliding doors onto a wrap-around wooden deck, which features a small sunken pool. Generous opening also allow the kitchen to merge with the outdoor area.

To address wind exposure, maximise interior comfort and minimise energy consumption, we placed the openings of this home in a way to achieve cross ventilation, optimal exposure to sun radiation and protection from dominant winds.

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The existing state house on a steep slope in the densely populated Mission Bay neighbourhood of Auckland.	The new building under construction at the same spot as its predecessor.	The lower level occupies the garage and secondary rooms while the upper level serves as the main living quarter with glimpses of sea view.
Model of the two-level house. The homes upper level cantilevers out over the lower level.	North-eastern corner of the house during construction, occupying the master suite with a large walk-in wardrobe	Rendering of the double storey house with the timber clad, recessed ground floor and an irregular network of floating concrete steps connecting the upper floor with the garden below.
Floor plan level 1 with gym, garage and entry zone and guest unit.	Floor plan level 2 with kitchen, dining, living, office, wardrobe, ensuite, master suite and a void to connect with the level below. The generous outdoor areas are facing sea views.	The elevation north. The house plan was arranged so that the majority of the rooms look out towards Mission Bay beach. With the large sliding doors open, the open-plan connects seamlessly with the main terrace, introducing an element of surprise into the otherwise rigorously compact form of the house.
A first sketch of elevation east with the entry zone and the garage at the lower level. The rooms on the upper level are oriented towards the sea.	Elevation west. The home's kitchen and dining area opens onto a west facing sheltered deck overlooking part ot the garden and containing a small pool.	An early sketch of elevation south with the self-contained guest unit at the ground floor and the ensuite, the void of the staircase, the kitchen and the covered outdoor area on the first floor.

Mission Bay House, Auckland, New Zealand

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The existing state house on a steep slope in the densely populated Mission Bay neighbourhood of Auckland.

The new building under construction at the same spot as its predecessor.

The lower level occupies the garage and secondary rooms while the upper level serves as the main living quarter with glimpses of sea view.

Model of the two-level house. The homes upper level cantilevers out over the lower level.

North-eastern corner of the house during construction, occupying the master suite with a large walk-in wardrobe

Rendering of the double storey house with the timber clad, recessed ground floor and an irregular network of floating concrete steps connecting the upper floor with the garden below.

Floor plan level 1 with gym, garage and entry zone and guest unit.

Floor plan level 2 with kitchen, dining, living, office, wardrobe, ensuite, master suite and a void to connect with the level below. The generous outdoor areas are facing sea views.

A first sketch of elevation east with the entry zone and the garage at the lower level. The rooms on the upper level are oriented towards the sea.

Elevation west. The home's kitchen and dining area opens onto a west facing sheltered deck overlooking part ot the garden and containing a small pool.

An early sketch of elevation south with the self-contained guest unit at the ground floor and the ensuite, the void of the staircase, the kitchen and the covered outdoor area on the first floor.

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