Stevens Lawson Architects

Photography Mark Smith



The house for a family is situated on a quiet street in the inner Auckland suburb of Herne Bay. Honed concrete blocks, dark stained timber and white pre-cast concrete have been combined in an intensive sculptural composition that has a sense of permanence and craft. The cast concrete facade acts simultaneously as a public sculpture, a gift to the street, and as a protective mask for the private spaces behind. The living spaces are laid out in a linear progression along the length of the site, connecting the front courtyard to the back yard. This continuous space steps down several levels, following the natural slope of the land, defining distinct living and dining areas. The three bedrooms are on the upper floor along with the ‘sky lounge’, with views over the harbour. The ‘sky lounge’ can function as a private living space with separate stair access, or as an extension to the main bedroom suite.



Shapes and textures are contrasted and repeated throughout the house and landscape creating a sense of harmony, complexity and visual delight. The triangular geometries repeated throughout establish an integrated theme that engenders a personal character to the house.

Completed 2004



Stevens Lawson Architects - New Zealand houses featured:

Cox’s Bay House
Herne Bay House
Hobson Bay House
Hot Water Beach House
Omaha House
Onehunga House
Onehunga Studio
Tamahere House



New Zealand buildings

Modern Architects

Company : Stevens Lawson Architects
Directors: Nicholas Stevens and Gary Lawson
Address: 19/75 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 377 5376, email: mail@stevenslawson.co.nz

Modern House

World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

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Herne Bay House - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt