Easterbrook House / Dorrington Atcheson Architects

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Text description provided by the architects. Taking its design cues from the utilitarian forms of a tent and a shed, this Titirangi home for an extended family is a duo of compact buildings that uses a humble set of materials to allow the landscape its rightful place in the scheme.

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Sited for sun, seclusion and views of the surrounding bush, the main dwelling and its ‘mini me’ cousin share an aesthetic and similar planning.  The primary home is conceived as a barn-like pavilion with bedrooms for adults and kids at opposite ends. A canopy-like roof is strung between these more-solid bookends like a tarpaulin.

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A modest footprint of 120-square-metres called for meticulous planning with no wasted space. Although the rectangular shape is only 4 metres wide, the soaring mono-pitch roof and full-height glazing brings a feeling of capaciousness to the main living zone. A split-truss roof allows an external pergola to shade the home in summer and clerestory windows bring in low winter light. The low-key palette of glulam beams, plywood walls and ceilings, aluminium joinery and concrete floors lends a casual holiday feel.

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A sunken lounge in the open-plan living zone is a modern take on the conversation pit and this change in level demarcates the space. Built-in furniture helped with space saving and includes an entertainment unit as well as an L-shaped banquette backed by bookshelves. Off the kitchen, a set of cavity sliders demarcates a spare bedroom or office. Board-and-batten detailing on this insertion further defines this zone and brings the barn-like exterior detailing indoors.

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Built-in bunks in the kids’ bedrooms can readily be converted to a desk – an aspect which future proofs the home for a growing family. Pops of primary colour lend personality to an honest design that tells the story of how it was made.