#3 House | Studio2 Architects | ArchiPro

Nestled on a rear site, the entrance to Studio2 Architect Paul Clarke’s home is unassuming as you move down a long drive that leads between two grand homes reminiscent of an Auckland of days gone by.

When the gate opens, you are treated to something special. Immediately, the haven-like grounds are consuming. To the west, a zen-like garden and landscaping compete with the dynamic form of this family home in which sculptured copper-clad skylights punch through the roof to draw light into the spaces below.

Arriving at the entrance to the home, the subtle nuances of this structure filled with art and meaning come to the fore. A symbol inset into the in situ concrete wall represents the three males in Paul’s family; himself and his two sons, while a square in the centre represents his wife Deb, “the heart of this home and family”, Paul explains.

Behind the boardform concrete wall, the entrance is tucked in a sheltered nook. The front door offers another glimpse into what’s ahead with a square cut out of coloured glass in the cedar-clad door; three triangular forms, one of each primary colour. The four triangles of cedar cladding to the door together make up the architectural symbol for a pivot door. “The primary colours are the basis of any artwork; they are the beginning—the basic requirements from which to begin,” Paul says.

Inside, directly above the entrance alcove the first of two sculptured skylights draws in light that falls in angular formations into the space. “The in-situ wall holes have been filled with coloured perspex extending and playing on the theme of colour.”

For Paul, who designed the house over a number of years after living in the former residence on the site for a decade before it was demolished, the number three offered a plethora of meanings that he incorporated into the design. “The number three invokes expression, versatility, and the pure joy of creativity. Three is also a time identifier as it represents past, present and future.”

In relation to the former, the home is a testament to the stories of Paul’s family’s life together. “It celebrates and embodies the memories of our lives and the experiences we have shared,” he explains. The footprint of the house also stays true to the elevation and volume of the original building on the site.

The site itself is capped by mature trees—a canvas Paul described as a domed oasis. In particular, a large oak tree extends its boughs over the rear of the site where one of the two pavilions extends, reaching out into the surrounds.

This, the single-level pavilion, houses the master bedroom and ensuite—a particularly spectacular space framed by greenery and which opens out to the elements with a glass door. “I’d always loved the idea of showering in nature and this offers that opportunity. There’s complete privacy here thanks to the trees.” The bedroom is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glazing while above, the second sculptured skylight allows for an ever-changing play of light throughout the day, as well as providing views of the night sky from the bed.

To incorporate these sculptural elements, provide volumetric space and maintain the energy efficiency of the roof, a warm roof system from Viking Roofspec was installed.

“Paul was looking for a system that would provide improved thermal efficiency while at the same time offer the high level of aesthetics provided by the other materials within the project,” says Brendon Sutton, Sales and Marketing Manager for Viking Roofspec.

“Viking's WarmSpan Tray System was specified as it fulfilled all of these criteria. WarmSpan is made up of three components: the wide-span steel tray roof deck; Kingspan polyiso board; and, a waterproof membrane top layer, which in this case was Viking's Phoenix Super APAO torch-on system. WarmSpan has also been engineered to interface with other building materials, such as the copper-cladding on the skylights.”

Back at the entry, the transition into the main part of the home is created with a change in material from a polished concrete floor to Matai steps before moving back to concrete. Stepping down into the main living area, you are met with a second set of steps that leads to the master pavilion, “like an Escher 3D artwork. A glazed link between the two built forms creates a flash of transferral into the different zones.”

Click here to see the full project: https://archipro.co.nz/project/3-house-studio2-architects

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