Ōrākei Basin

Situated on the slopes of the Ōrākei Basin in central Auckland, the site lies at the end of nearly a half-kilometre of challenging driveway that winds around another 12 properties, perched on the steep slope of a volcanic crater. Designed by Wendy Shacklock Architects, the home re-interprets the New Zealand vernacular of the gabled roof form predominant within the local suburb.

The facade 'bends' with the site so that the entire north and west facing facades effectively form a sheltered bay — maximising water views to the west and north, as well as passive solar gain from the north. The manipulation of the facades in turn deflects the geometry of the gabled roof to create an irregular, sculpted form, acting as an instrument for engaging with the garden and the basin while expressing the dynamic forces of the volcanic contours.

The house was conceived as one large shelter wrapping around the land. The ground floor flows as a continuous landscape from the living areas to the terrace, lawn and outdoor room, with the kitchen at its heart. A single-storey form extends along the base of the cliff, framing the lawn, with a glazed and louvered outdoor room centred on the swimming pool.

Cladding materials include vertical cedar, metal, and planked in-situ concrete, with mixed internal linings of cedar, oak, planked in-situ concrete and fibrous plaster. The three facades — north, south and west — are highly glazed, permeable screens allowing cross ventilation and views through the house, with window and balcony openings travelling freely across the facades to express lightness and movement through all three levels.