parsonson architects: seaview house, new zealand

‘seaview house’ by parsonson architects, wellington, new zealandimage © paul mccredieall images courtesy of parsonson architects

in new zealand’s capital, located on a hill overlooking the botanical gardens and the wellington harbor to the east, the ‘seaview house’ by localstudio parsonson architects takes its place amidst its closely adjacent neighbors but with a distinctly different architectural language of its own.the clients, a family composed of a wide range of age groups, needed a spacious home that would accommodate specific needs of privacy, a rangeof leisure activities, and common gathering areas. as the sloping site is covered with dense vegetation, the massing strategy placed three floorsbetween laterally-located barrier walls clad in green corrugated steel panels that shelter the living spaces and help the edifice blend into the greenery. bedrooms are located in the top floor which is wrapped in a contrasting skin of slender western red cedar louvers that counteract the hard surfaces of the exterior partitions with the conceptual intention to recover the wooded nature replaced by the construction. the primarily glass facades are opento the east, offering stunning views and morning sun to the several social spaces stacked vertically over one another, maintaining a certain senseof separation. a covered indoor swimming pool can be opened to the exterior, sharing the level with extra bedrooms for visiting guests. gallery wallsare integrated into the main living area on the middle floor to display artworks in a warm atmosphere of white vertical elements and warm victorian ash flooring.

view from the neighboring houseimage © paul mccredie