A Coastal New Zealand Home Mines Starlight and Sunshine With Massive Light Wells
On the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, an award-winning holiday home puts a sculptural twist on the local bach typology.
On the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, an award-winning holiday home puts a sculptural twist on the local bach typology.
When Ken Crosson of Auckland-based Crosson Architects first met with retired builder Bob de Leeuw and his wife Chris to discuss the design of their new holiday home in Kuaotunu, the architect immediately fell in love with the couple’s attitude to life.
"They are humble but courageous," says Crosson of his clients’ personalities, which drove the design of their new retreat. The understated home doesn’t overshadow its beachfront location, yet it possesses distinctive qualities unique to the region.
Nestled between sand dunes on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand, Light Mine is mere minutes from the beach with uninterrupted views of the water.
Simon Devitt
Guided by a site-specific design approach, the architects explored Kuaotunu’s gold mining history and the many abandoned mines nearby. To pay homage to the area’s gold rush in the late 19th century, Crosson took the shape of a mine shaft, inverted it, and placed the pyramidal form atop the home to create a sculptural roofline topped with skylights.
"Varying heights and positions of the shafts break up the form on the ridgeline, establishing an identity and interest," says the firm. "The house steps forward and back, the plan mapping the movement of the sun."
Simon Devitt
The mine shaft–inspired light wells are set at an angle that slightly skews against the home’s orthogonal plan.
Simon Devitt
See the full story on Dwell.com: A Coastal New Zealand Home Mines Starlight and Sunshine With Massive Light Wells
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