architecture 4 us

Sustainable Design of Tutukaka Beach House in New Zealand

Posted: 15 Aug 2012 08:25 AM PDT

This is Tutukaka House, a sustainable beach house designed by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects, located on the northern tip of Northland in New Zealand. It has some features that make this house to be a sustainable architecture building. As a vacation house, beautiful beach view becomes a very good value.

This green architecture building was built around a central spine, set on the hills above the ocean. It is oriented to the ocean to maximize the view, also to maximize the sun light capturing. The location was chosen, 2 1/2 hours outside of Auckland, to provide a peaceful environment. It has open plan living areas, combined with kitchen and dining room, flowing out seamlessly onto a generous northern open deck. There is also an alternative sheltered space with bbq and outdoor fireplace, to the north-west. More private places are provided for the bedrooms, including the using of shutters for the privacy protection.

The sustainable construction uses sustainable materials, especially from timber materials, with stained cedar shiplap cladding and hoop pine plywood wall and ceiling linings. Saligna is used for the exterior, while kwila is used for flooring. Translucent screens are used for roof and cladding in order to introduced filtered light.

The sustainable feature used for this eco architecture house is the moveable shutters. The shutters can be set to control the amount of lights enter to the house. It also can provide security cover for the house from vandalism and weather, as it will be completely closed when no one in the house.

By all of its features and green architecture design, this house achieved NZIA Award for Residential Architecture 2012.