three volumes cluster around open courtyard in new zealand home by cheshire architects

‘awaawaroa bay’ by cheshire architects is an off grid home in new zealand composed of three small volumes. each housing a different domestic function, the three small buildings cluster around an open, sun-drenched courtyard that forms the heart of the project. together, the spaces form ‘a family of related but not identical siblings,’ that extend out towards the courtyard to blur the boundaries between inside and outside. all images by jackie meiring

cheshire architects developed ‘awaawaroa bay’ for a client who ‘fell in love with this south-facing site and the idea of occupying it without formality and off grid.‍’ the project’s composition, characterized by the auckland studio as an ‘encampment’, consists of three small buildings: a single gable volume and two sheds. each building houses a different living function, while they all open up towards the sun-drenched courtyard that doubles as an extension of the interior domestic spaces.

‘we hoped to celebrate the difference between inside and outside – and the reinforcing, occupying and eroding of the threshold between those states,’ cheshire architects explains. the gable roof volume encloses a chapel-like living room lined with fragrant old timber. this space also houses the kitchen and dining area, which extends out towards the courtyard, blurring the boundaries between the two.

meanwhile, the two canvas-cloaked sheds enclose the sleeping spaces, lined inside with timber and creaking gently like yachts. large window frames complete these volumes, bringing in plenty of natural light. ‘this little home was conceived carefully, built simply and dressed informally,’ concludes the studio. ‘we hoped this would be enough to slough away the memory of the city entirely.’

project info:

name: awaawaroa bay

architect: cheshire architects

location: new zealand