Meadowbank House is situated in a suburb located near the central city. The brief was to create a family home on a smaller site that, despite being surrounded by neighbours, offered a sense of seclusion and retreat from the bustle of everyday life. The design objective was to expand and utilize the existing mature trees and optimize sunlight exposure.

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This involved orienting the house to turn away from the southern neighbours and focus on the surrounding greenery to create an open aspect. The inherent verticality of the site required the house to build upward to maximize space. This prompted an exploration of vertical architectural language, breaking up the structure into various boxes and elements that recede and undulate, achieving a dynamic push-and-pull effect to create proportion and angulation. The vertical rhythm of the brick pilasters were integral to the design. The undulating pattern was developed to integrate different levels and materials and creates a beautiful interplay of light and shadow throughout the day as the sun moves around the house.

The arrival sequence engages with the home’s volumetric playfulness. The intimate soft brick entry space embraces upon arrival, with a warm timber ceiling that envelops before opening up into a spacious, light-filled volume. The home utilizes a rich restful palate of materials that resonate with a desire to connect with nature. The focus on materials and craftsmanship ensures enduring longevity.

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The large aperture, extends upward to capture views of the trees, maintaining the theme of verticality. The colonnade pattern of openings was designed to mitigate solar gain—a common issue in Auckland's hot summers—while also introducing a striking colonnade rhythm. Given the limited site and usable outdoor space, the large lounge area was strategically integrated as a quasi-outdoor space. When the large doors open you are immersed in nature providing a tangible tranquillity.