The home in the hill

Grey Lynn I Auckland

Overlooking one of Auckland’s steeper streets, this three level family home was masterminded by a husband and wife team: both architects, homeowners, and repeat clients of Goodwin Construction Limited.

As former Wellington residents, the couple were undaunted by the section’s almost 45 degrees incline. “It was a conscious decision to find a pocket of urban land to express our architectural creativity. The steep gradient and tight boundary constraints lent themselves to a design that stepped down the hill,” they explain.

Builder and project manager Haris Goodwin and his experienced team encountered engineering and design challenges on the angled section that required complex excavation to ensure safe foundations for construction.

“Using our experience of building high end architectural homes, this was an exercise in careful planning and sequencing. Meticulous project management was key to delivering the homeowners’ vision,” says Haris.

At ground level, a cedar balcony entrance leads into the living, dining, and kitchen areas, where a mixture of birch ply, oak, spotted gum and steel effortlessly flow throughout. “Pendant lighting over the kitchen island has helped to make this a point of gathering and connection,” say the homeowners.

From there, a striking five metre raked ceiling stretches up to the mezzanine floor. The feature stairwell, constructed from an oak screen, steel stringers, and spotted gum treads, connects the property’s three levels.

Complex angles and junctions in the gables and dormers required intricate framing to be built by Haris’ team before the roof was installed by Trueform Roofing. The resulting apex ridge parallels the contours of the hillside and twists and turns to match the site and environment. Internally tracing this profile, birch ply panels, cut on two different angles and falling in two directions, adorn the ceiling and walls.

“The ceilings oriented at two pitches meant there was not a single 90 degree angle or level reference to work with. A high level of craftsmanship was needed to ensure all the materials came together seamlessly,” says Haris.

Other special touches include window seats to take in the suburban views, bespoke window shrouds and canopies to elevate the visual aesthetic, and high-raking, angled aluminium joinery supplied by Vision Windows. A master bedroom door that blends into the wall, full height doors crafted with rebated oak jambs, and beautifully made cabinetry from Essex Cabinetmakers, also feature.

Outside, a vehicle turntable, storage room with concealed cedar door, carefully selected garden highlights from Rongoā Landscapes, and a sunken spa pool surrounded by native bush, make clever use of the compact, urban section.

“It was a privilege to work with two talented architects who trusted us to bring their vision and design to life. Every aspect of the home is packed with flair, thought, and purpose,” says Haris.

NZCB

Member ⁄ Haris Goodwin www.goodwinconstruction.co.nz