New Zealand Dave Strachan

Dave Strachan, New Zealand : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2002

Deerubbbin Conferences 2014 + 2016

[private house : island : nzia award]

Owhanake Bay House, Waiheke Island, near Auckland, New Zealand

Dave Strachan, Strachan Group Architects, Owhanake Bay House

Waiheke Island, near Auckland, New Zealand

The site is located on Waiheke Island, overlooking Owhanake Bay and just below a significant ridge line. For the semi-retired owners, single level accessibility was a requirement that set design challenges on a site with a 15 degree cross slope.

The house is a play on the idea of "living on the verandah" in a sub-tropical climate. Banks of eastern flap windows on gas struts open, leaving only "verandah posts" intact as occupants engage with the landscape under the shelter and shade of the "verandah" roof.

Three narrow pavilions "bend" to follow the natural contours, allowing ease of movement through the landscape and minimal excavation of the landform. As in the natural environment, folds in landforms often contain watercourses; hence the two wedges of space between the three pavilions become a gathering of water, points of cleansing. These two linkages contain 2 bath-houses, one the main ensuite and the other a plunge pool/spa.

NZIA NATIONAL AWARD WINNER - 2012 - RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES

'This is one of those happy occasions when a house is more properly called a home. On a coastal site, in a landscape progressively rehabilitated by the clients, the Architect has designed a comfortable and appropriate dwelling that is direct without being directional. The house is generous and liveable, well ordered and well ventilated, and successfully integrated with its natural surroundings. Eminently fit for purpose, the house may have even exceeded expectations; if it has done so it is because the Architect and clients have clearly proceeded in sympathy.'

NZIA LOCAL AWARD WINNER - 2011 - RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE

'A sensitive building 'tucked' gracefully into its site, this building gives the impression that it actually breathes. Opening up with slices, nips and tucks to pull in light, sun and views it is a delightful and adaptive home that is both comfortable and captivating. One gets the sense that this building fits it s owner like a glove.'

NZIA LOCAL AWARD WINNER - 2011 - SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

'From the outset of design the Architect has intimately considered the environment, skillfully weaving a deeply sustainable approach into the building's DNA.'

Photography : Patrick Reynolds

Dave Strachan, Strachan Group -

http://www.sgaltd.co.nz

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston4 June 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org