Bucklands Beach Townhouses

Completed: 2022

Description: The Bucklands Beach townhouses are positioned on a relatively steep slope, with views to Rangitoto. As they step up the site, they step sideways to ensure each house has access to views. The townhouses are a short walk to local amenities. The four detached houses have floor areas of 194-216m² and all include four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

We responded to the site’s crossfall by tucking the townhouses into the higher southern side of the site. The excavation of a semi basement garage allowed for vehicle entry level from the lower northern side, living areas on the middle level elevated above the garages with views to Rangitoto, and bedrooms on the top level making a three storey home. It was critical we met the objectives of the mixed housing suburban zone including the dwellings appearing as predominantly two storeys. Through landscaping and screening we achieved a two storey appearance from all surrounding areas except for the vehicle accessway. The pedestrian entries are on the first floor and the vehicle entries are tucked behind the landscaping, away from the street.

The external material palette includes concrete block on the lower level, grounding the building within the site. This block extends up as a fire rated wall between the houses. The upper storey is a mix of lightweight claddings including vertical shiplap weatherboards and standing seam roof sheeting which folds down from the roof forms.