Dune House by Fearon Hay Architects

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Fearon Hay Architects have designed a vacation home that integrates into the landscape. The 2014 World Architecture Festival (Villa Category) winner is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, an hour drive north of Auckland. The spectacular site sits within a natural dune zone adjacent a long white sand beach, which only makes it a natural source of inspiration for the architecture of the residence.

Image © Patrick Reynolds

The vacation home was designed for a couple with a deep love for outdoor beach environment, water sports and their three dogs. To keep in tune with their active lifestyle, the design had to incorporate easy access to a board from the basement surf locker, outdoor showers and a sense of openness and connection to the dune environment and beach views.

Image © Patrick Reynolds

The house was nested into the dunes with the lower level almost completely hidden by its sunken integration into the landscape. A central open plan living space sits between a terrace and protected courtyard. The terrace opens to the beach while the courtyard creates privacy and a sense of sanctuary to the street behind. The courtyard’s protection is created by a glass veil that obscures the lines of sight but is still able to offer light and awareness of the western aspect.

Image © Patrick Reynolds

The interior of the residence draws inspiration from the ever-changing natural coastline. The design incorporates a refined material palette that offers a sense of comfort, calm and quiet. All materials have been carefully selected to add a level of sophistication without distracting from the natural and built environment. The grey plastered walls and travertine floors give a sense of rawness, and contrast nicely against the surreal landscape seen through the full height windows.

Image © Patrick Reynolds

Details of electropolished stainless metalwork and inlaid surfaces of silver travertine add to the elegant interior. The materiality for the kitchen & scullery is a response to a desire for richness in this restrained palette that would still maintain this sense of rawness – something natural but something that would counter the soft grey hues of concrete and plaster. The brass has a durability and presence that will continue to age and in time create its own story around that of the house.

Image © Patrick Reynolds

Dune House by Fearon Hay Architects - Site

Dune House by Fearon Hay Architects - Plan

Dune House by Fearon Hay Architects - Section

Dune House by Fearon Hay Architects - Elevation

Facts:
Architects: Fearon Hay Architects
Location: New Zealand
Year: 2014
Project Team: Tim Hay, Jeff Fearon, Stephen de-Vrij, Robin Geiselhardt, Chris Wood
Interiors: Fearon Hay Architects with Penny Hay
Photography: Patrick Reynolds
Awards: Winner – Villa category. WAF (World Architecture Festival) Awards, Singapore, 2014 / NZIA New Zealand Architecture Medal, Finalist, 2014 / NZIA New Zealand Awards for Architecture, 2014