Design: Strachan Group Architects / Photography: Simon Devitt

Light plays well across the building all day

This 1930s Auckland arts and crafts home exudes ageless elegance, but it was not always so spacious. A marvelous make-over respected the home's character.

Maunga Ora is a family home in a private and secluded setting in Queenstown, that takes advantage of the opposing mountain views of The Remarkables to the South and Coronet Peak to the North.

Sam Martin - 4 Walls Media

A warm contemporary plan, with a distinctive stairwell tower. They chose us because of the variety of styles we’ve built in the past, the other satisfied clients they spoke with, and our transparent financial reporting throughout the building process. Positioned on the site for privacy and to protect the natural vegetation, it was important that all the details—including disability access throughout. A professional lighting designer specified all-LED lighting. Energy-efficient geothermal HVAC, expansive windows, and clean, finely finished details. Built on a sloped lot, the 3,300-sq.-ft. home appears modest in size from the driveway, but the expansive, finished lower level, with ample windows, offers several useful spaces, for everyday living and guest quarters. Contemporary exterior features a custom milled front entry & nickel gap vertical siding. Unique, 17'-tall stairwell tower, with plunging 9-light LED pendant fixture. Custom, handcrafted concrete hearth spans the entire fireplace. Lower level includes an exercise room, outfitted for an Endless Pool. Parade of Homes Tour Silver Medal award winner.

Landmark Photography

This walkout brick bungalow was transformed into a contemporary home with a complete redesign of the front exterior and a second floor addition. Overlooking Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe, Barrie, Ontario, this redesigned home features an open concept second. Steel and glass railings and an open tread staircase allow for natural light to flow through this newly created space. The exterior has a hint of West Coast Modern/Contemporary finishes, with clear cedar accentuating the resized garage. James Hardie Panel and painted aluminum channel combined with black framed EVW Windows compliment this revitalized, modern exterior.

Cedar shakes mix with siding and stone to create a richly textural Craftsman exterior. This floor plan is ideal for large or growing families with open living spaces making it easy to be together. The master suite and a bedroom/study are downstairs while three large bedrooms with walk-in closets are upstairs. A second-floor pocket office is a great space for children to complete homework or projects and a bonus room provides additional square footage for recreation or storage.

Exterior - Front Entry Beach House at Avoca Beach by Architecture Saville Isaacs Project Summary Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ The core idea of people living and engaging with place is an underlying principle of our practice, given expression in the manner in which this home engages with the exterior, not in a general expansive nod to view, but in a varied and intimate manner. The interpretation of experiencing life at the beach in all its forms has been manifested in tangible spaces and places through the design of pavilions, courtyards and outdoor rooms. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ A progression of pavilions and courtyards are strung off a circulation spine/breezeway, from street to beach: entry/car court; grassed west courtyard (existing tree); games pavilion; sand+fire courtyard (=sheltered heart); living pavilion; operable verandah; beach. The interiors reinforce architectural design principles and place-making, allowing every space to be utilised to its optimum. There is no differentiation between architecture and interiors: Interior becomes exterior, joinery becomes space modulator, materials become textural art brought to life by the sun.   Project Description Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ The core idea of people living and engaging with place is an underlying principle of our practice, given expression in the manner in which this home engages with the exterior, not in a general expansive nod to view, but in a varied and intimate manner. The house is designed to maximise the spectacular Avoca beachfront location with a variety of indoor and outdoor rooms in which to experience different aspects of beachside living. Client brief: home to accommodate a small family yet expandable to accommodate multiple guest configurations, varying levels of privacy, scale and interaction. A home which responds to its environment both functionally and aesthetically, with a preference for raw, natural and robust materials. Maximise connection – visual and physical – to beach. The response was a series of operable spaces relating in succession, maintaining focus/connection, to the beach. The public spaces have been designed as series of indoor/outdoor pavilions. Courtyards treated as outdoor rooms, creating ambiguity and blurring the distinction between inside and out. A progression of pavilions and courtyards are strung off circulation spine/breezeway, from street to beach: entry/car court; grassed west courtyard (existing tree); games pavilion; sand+fire courtyard (=sheltered heart); living pavilion; operable verandah; beach. Verandah is final transition space to beach: enclosable in winter; completely open in summer. This project seeks to demonstrates that focusing on the interrelationship with the surrounding environment, the volumetric quality and light enhanced sculpted open spaces, as well as the tactile quality of the materials, there is no need to showcase expensive finishes and create aesthetic gymnastics. The design avoids fashion and instead works with the timeless elements of materiality, space, volume and light, seeking to achieve a sense of calm, peace and tranquillity. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ Focus is on the tactile quality of the materials: a consistent palette of concrete, raw recycled grey ironbark, steel and natural stone. Materials selections are raw, robust, low maintenance and recyclable. Light, natural and artificial, is used to sculpt the space and accentuate textural qualities of materials. Passive climatic design strategies (orientation, winter solar penetration, screening/shading, thermal mass and cross ventilation) result in stable indoor temperatures, requiring minimal use of heating and cooling. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ Accommodation is naturally ventilated by eastern sea breezes, but sheltered from harsh afternoon winds. Both bore and rainwater are harvested for reuse. Low VOC and non-toxic materials and finishes, hydronic floor heating and ventilation ensure a healthy indoor environment. Project was the outcome of extensive collaboration with client, specialist consultants (including coastal erosion) and the builder. The interpretation of experiencing life by the sea in all its forms has been manifested in tangible spaces and places through the design of the pavilions, courtyards and outdoor rooms. The interior design has been an extension of the architectural intent, reinforcing architectural design principles and place-making, allowing every space to be utilised to its optimum capacity. There is no differentiation between architecture and interiors: Interior becomes exterior, joinery becomes space modulator, materials become textural art brought to life by the sun. Architecture Saville Isaacs https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/ https://www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au/