River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects

River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Simon Wilson

River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, BeamRiver Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, ChairRiver Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Windows, Table, ChairRiver Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Image 5 of 21River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - More Images+ 16

Taupiri, New Zealand
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River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Chair
© Simon Wilson

Text description provided by the architects. Responding to a narrow site this small retreat has been orientated to capture the best of the sun and views towards the Waikato River and Hakarimata ranges beyond. The simple skewed form of the house has an appropriate scale and presence within the wider landscape.

River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Beam
© Simon Wilson

On arrival visitors are led up a path alongside a careful language of tall cedar screens before stepping up onto the Garapa timber deck and casually entering. Capturing this sense of informality was a key design driver in creating a restrained family home that is a simple yet elegant place to retreat.

River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Windows, Table, Chair
© Simon Wilson

The kitchen is the heart of the home with the Tasmanian oak flooring slicing through the plan providing both morning and evening outdoor opportunities. The living space steps down into a light filled volume reaching out to the river. A mezzanine pulls over above with exposed painted radiata floor joists and bookcase balustrade providing a sense of homeliness and enclosure.

River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Image 21 of 21
Floor plans
River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Image 18 of 21
Sections

The rear of the house is delineated by the seamless pivot door, integrating within the Gaboon plywood cabinetry wall. Providing access to withdraw into the bedrooms.

River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen
© Simon Wilson

Custom rainscreen detailing enhances a modest steel-clad home, allowing flashings and window frames to hide beyond whilst creating a distinct and compelling form in the landscape. Encapsulating the qualities of the Bach typology, the blurring of spaces and breaking down of thresholds corresponds with the expressed natural timber materials and tectonic detailing.

River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects - Image 5 of 21
© Simon Wilson

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Cite: "River Retreat House / Edwards White Architects" 14 Oct 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/926368/river-retreat-house-edwards-white-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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