- Area: 250 m²
- Year: 2011
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Photographs:Mark Craven, Simon Devitt
Text description provided by the architects. Along the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour lies Sander’s Reserve. The folded geometry of the wooden building evolved from the idea of the rustic barn, integrating it into the landscape of the Reserve through gentle intermediary transitions. The building form defines the edge of the arrival court as a series of planes unfold as a geometric wave from the ground to enclose the spaces within.
Drawing influence from the land, trees and sky, this interpretation of “The Barn” is a multi-faceted, folding architectonic form. Its construction is both solid and permeable. The lineal parallel timber beams appear to open and close as one passes through the structure. The regular rhythms of the construction serve to offer a plurality to the presence of the built form. It is both heavy and light as the large glass planes of the western facade make the timber ‘plates’ appear to float as they enfold the distilled form of the ‘barn’.
The outside areas are informed by the building as it traverses the lightly elevated contours. A generous covered terrace extends on the eastern aspect out to a children’s playground area. Interior spaces are enveloped within the tension of the folded building roof form. A small kiosk that frames the dramatic vistas opens directly onto the covered terrace by way of large sliding glass doors.
The expansive eaves, high level louvered windows and roof lights provide for cool shade in the summer and natural ventilation and solar heat as required at different times of the year. The building fabric reinforces the idea of an organic response to the natural environment. This is achieved by using a combination of plywood, clear glass, Pinus Radiata and steel finished in rustic colours.
