October 25, 2016

House Under Eaves by MRTN Architects

Located in Point Wells, New Zealand, House Under Eaves is a contemporary wooden residence designed in 2016 by MRTN Architects.

A modern, single-story house with a flat roof and clean, minimalist design.

Spacious modern interior with wooden beams, a dining area, and a cozy living room.

Spacious dining area with large window overlooking lush backyard and wooden beams.

Modern kitchen with wooden frames, brick accent wall, and minimalist decor.

A modern kitchen with a large window overlooking a lush, tropical garden and a cozy window seat.

Minimalist modern hallway with floor-to-ceiling glass panels, wooden flooring, and clean lines.

Minimalist bedroom with large window, wooden accents, and nature-inspired bedding.

Sleek and modern bathroom with minimal, clean-lined design and contrasting materials.

Striking modern architecture with contrasting materials and landscaping details.

Contemporary wooden facade with recessed entryways, gravel path, and raised garden beds.

Modern single-story home with sleek gray exterior, large windows, and brick steps.

Modern angular wooden home with minimalist landscaping and exterior lighting.

About House Under Eaves

This new house, less than an hour from Auckland, sits on a flat site in a semi-suburban area. The site, once pastoral land, is now divided into well-sized sections.

Design Strategy for Privacy and Retreat

We faced a flat, vacant lot with no neighbors. Our design aimed to anticipate the future context and create a retreat from the street. We respected the client’s privacy, providing a layered separation from front to back.

Using Shadow as a Design Element

We proposed using shadow as a design element. An oversized dark roof rests on thick cedar-clad walls, protecting from elements like heavy rain. The black eaves frame landscape views and enhance the greenery.

Modernist Influence and Functional Layout

From the street, the house appears as a simple gable form, inspired by early New Zealand modernist architects. The roof, held by cedar-clad walls, screens the front door with a concrete wall. Inside, the split gable form divides the garage, entry, and guest rooms from the living spaces and master bedroom. A glazed link connects the two wings at the roof’s highest point. This link provides a secondary garden entry and a sheltered outdoor dining space.

Open Living Spaces and Art Display

Living areas flank a wide cedar-lined wall, separating the kitchen from the living and dining spaces. These spaces are on a lower level than the kitchen, enhancing separation through level change and material. The living room features a high raked ceiling with exposed rafters, creating a sense of an outdoor room. This feeling is enhanced by a glazed opening leading to an al fresco sitting area.

The house, called House Under Eave, appears compact from the street. However, the scale expands inside, spilling into a lush garden. Here, the owner can retreat, connected to the garden but sheltered by the eave.

Photography by Anthony Basheer

Visit MRTN Architects

- by Matt Watts