This home proves how an overlooked piece of land can be given new life

Article by Home Magazine

An enigmatic house by Tim Dorrington on an overlooked corner of land edges up to a creek, while turning its back on suburban neighbours

Q&A with Tim Dorrington of Dorrington Atcheson Architects

How did the stream dictate your design decisions?
It meant concrete foundations were off the table right away. The ground level is probably a metre to two metres higher now than it was, so there’s quite a lot of cut and fill. To do concrete foundations you have to go down to good ground – so that could have meant two metre-high foundation walls, and then all the fill, and then the slab on top. Doing timber piles and then timber flooring for this site was definitely more practical.

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Were there any great features on the plans that didn’t make it in the real world?
In the initial models, the front wall wrapped all the way up the driveway as well, like a big fortress wall. As you came down the drive there was this big, dark, nasty, brooding wall sitting in front of you with virtually no openings.

Are you eager to crack into stage two of the build?
There’s nothing lacking. From above, sure, it would look really cool having an L-shape instead of this, but experientially, it would be no different if stage two was added.

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The use of Strandboard, which lines the ceiling, was inspired by Chilean architect Mathias Klotz’s work with this utilitarian material.

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A G-plan sideboard sits in the living room.

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Diamond-shaped tiles are used in both the kitchen and bathroom.

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A ‘Globe’ pendant by Frank Ligtelijn for Raak from Karakter illuminates the island.

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The bathroom mirror reflects the tiles that also feature in the kitchen.

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Strandboard lines the bathroom ceiling and skylight.

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The living areas open up to the deck and bush-lined creek.

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The home, which was built by Stehr Brothers Construction, sits on a sweet suburban spot at the edge of Oakley Creek in Avondale, Auckland. An ‘Arnold Circus’ stool by Martino Gamper serves as a side table.