Mana Ridge walks the tightrope between rural and contemporary. Three modest gabled forms, sympathetic to its prominent position, will gently patina as time passes. The commission called for a modern, practical, high-performance estate. Our response was to gather common use spaces and array each cluster across the Valley head. Living and Sleeping wings orient North to passive design principles with utility spaces nestled behind. Movement spaces, flat-roofed and lower, hold these together. The enclosed westerly courtyard and limited south-facing glazing provide privacy. Carefully balanced on arrival, the glass link full of intrigue, invites you in. Inside, the refined central kitchen deftly orients to the panoramic Mauao view. Its subtle details wrapping and weaving into the broader living spaces. With an outlook taking in East through West across dining, social, lounge and courtyard spaces.
Every form its own identity with unique floor level, stud height and roof pitch. The dismantling of a significant brief crafting a more humanizing scale as well as creating multiple alfresco spaces suitable across all seasons. The interior spaces too, finding a more intimate feel through the modest scale. This assembly of forms reminiscent of a collection of buildings found throughout rural New Zealand. The outbuilding, deliberately close to celebrate the rural authenticity, creates a westerly courtyard. Its Landscaping materiality, alongside the timber decks and Lawson Pergolas, provide lightweight fingers that ingrain the home to the hill. These are the anchor points from which the estates ordered gardens stem.
Deliberately simple, the material palate perfectly complements the arrangement. To be timeless and tell the story of a practical life on the land a singular cladding was chosen to wrap all pods and capture the unique variations. Locally sourced, natural, and untreated Lawson Cypress Board and Batten is the aesthetic core. Chosen to add texture, depth, and rhythm. Its gentle patina another reminder of rustic rural buildings across New Zealand.
Simple and timeless but unmistakably modern through the rigor of detail. Oversized and recessed corner windows and crisp glazed linkages hint to the complex structure they envelop. Lawson screens cleverly integrate with the cladding whose cover batten rest flush with the fascia. These precise yet gentle layers elevate the aesthetic without overwhelming the geometry.
The Low-E joinery and roof dark to marry into the eventual warm greys the Lawson will oxidise to. Utilitarian accents of raw concrete block, exposed aggregate, and stone chip solidify the practical architectural language. Landscaping forms, shaped by the arrangement, mesh land and buildings as one adding organic softness.
Subtle yet strong texture continues through to the interior detail and selections. Earthy white tones throughout cover v-groove, battened ceilings, and generously sized trim. Soft oak flooring and thick loop pile carpet add depth and character. Both radiating warmth through Hydronic central heating in the high-performance and perimeter insulated raft slab.
A beautiful, fit for purpose, piece of architecture resting comfortably in its surroundings. Mana Ridge pays homage to rural New Zealand while embracing modern family living.
We are so glad we chose ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) to create our family home and lifestyle in Tauranga. Adam is an absolute pleasure to work with and so talented at what he does. We were impressed with the amount of thought and detail Adam put into our house, and the passion he showed for our project. Thank you ata, our final design is better than we could have ever imagined.
Edward and Sasha Pendergast
Creative clients wanted their beach shack to evolve to suit their young family and better engage with the sunny yards. As we lived over the back fence, we knew the site well and quickly understood the dynamics of how they wanted to live. The existing house albeit tired, was a typical two-bedroom Beasley with small living spaces. The brief called for a master retreat and additional living space. With the dwelling being central on the site the challenge was to provide a connection to the yards that expanded living spaces as well as connected individual zones.
Clients wanted to celebrate the existing relaxed character and didn't want ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) to re-invent it. They appreciated small space design and blurring space boundaries; however, separation of the master was important for a sense of sanctuary. Our response looked to sustain as much of the existing home as possible. The layout was reasonably efficient with space, subtle change being the order. Widening the living by absorbing the existing laundry and rear entry allowed a look through approach to connect front and rear yards also creating passive cross-ventilation. A newly added Eastern wing solves the spatial needs of a master retreat and extra living space. The wing positions slightly south allowing master garden views, privacy, and sun across all other living areas. Its efficient footprint was designed in harmony with its form-a monopitch roof that sweeps up to join in with the existing apex.
“Looking for an Architect or Architectural Designer is tough and it can be a giant leap of faith to entrust someone to design your vision. This felt easy with Adam and within 5 minutes we knew he was our guy to help design our renovation. Adam quickly understood our brief, who we are, and how we wanted to ultimately live in our house. This allowed him to adapt and challenge our initial ideas so that we ended up with a design that exceeded our expectations. Adam’s creative approach helped us find efficiencies throughout the design process from layout to materials which allowed us to spend our limited budget in the right areas and not compromise on the overall design. The end result is that Adam has helped us to achieve a house that has enhanced the way we live as a family. ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) nailed our design and are good people too, we will definitely use them again — if we ever move!”
Andrew Inman
An architectural executive beachfront home in every sense. Shapeshifter by ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) is a home designed to maximise the view of the beach yet maintain it’s privacy and peacefulness.
This beauty boasts uninterrupted views from Motiti to the beach in front. With the Master bedroom enjoying 360 degree views and is, needless to say, basked in sunlight all day long. Dual living ensures this home and it’s enviable location will be enjoyed by, not just the immediate family, but by all of the cousins and aunts and uncles etc when they call in also.
The front of the home has design pop. The back of the home, which often gets short-changed when it comes to design, features a large glazed atrium that floods the house in sun and warmth. Smart energy efficient systems, high-spec insulation, air-tightness, and passive heating and cooling give this home the big sustainability stamp. It is also future-proofed for solar installation.
Shug Life is a humble gangster Bach. She sits on a small site deep in the mount. ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) got resource consent as we are maximising this valuable site. The curve of the original dwelling inspired the design which gives the strong structure elegance.
Vertical cedar battens over vertical cedar weatherboards clad the upper floor. Paired with a plaster finish to existing concrete block on the ground floor. The large central kitchen got a lot of design love. We closed off the dining space from the kitchen and living with generous glazed sliders and shugs. This interior separation pulls the outside into the dining space giving you all the beach feels. The upper floor is screened and steps in from the street creating privacy. Privacy flows to the kitchen, also screened, but with automated blinds. Shug Life is a Bach but not the sort you’re used to.
“Adam listened to our ideas and created a number of design options for us to choose from. The final design is a sculptural wonder that literally stops cars and people in the street. We would highly recommend ATA to anyone wanting to build their dream home.”
Gary Gordon
ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) were approached by the Georges to completely transform this ‘ugly’ house into something light and airy, connected and functional. An original solid timber home on block basement. She’s had at least five renovations over 50 years. The architecture needed to be sympathetic to the existing structure and mitigate day-lighting restrictions. A simple white body that doubles down on detail everywhere. Ban-sawn Japanese Cedar weatherboards provide texture and gentle tonal change.
We celebrated the old sarked ceiling and exposed structure by adding additional bottom chords to capture the roof and demarcate the spaces below.
The simple white ceiling and ample volume paired with the original Tawa floors, create a calm and relaxing space year-round. The room is book-ended by the kitchen and the fire/media wall – low slung to allow light to filter over.
Doors each side open right up as a direct visual link to the yards below. A sculptural solid steel stair is the bridge to the master retreat above which enjoys views to the ocean and yards below. The stairwell or ‘void of light’ is designed to feel open and attach each level equally. Downstairs living was halved allowing bedrooms to grow and a new hallway/break-out space. Views and ample natural light now flood in where it was once subterranean. The library/art room, a half flight up, is private and sun-drenched. A new adjacent bathroom means it can double as a guest room.
“Adam and his team were the right people to work with on our project. Other architects or designers backed away from the scale of the job, but Adam understood our vision and our desire to renovate, and celebrate the quirks of an original Mount Maunganui home, while completely re-shaping its story. The house is beautiful and flooded with light, which was the first priority on our brief. We are thrilled with the spaces created, and love that we were creatively in tune with the Adam Taylor aesthetic and values.”
Hayley George
Coastal in its setting yet urban in every other sense, Chain Mail in Mount Maunganui was built on a small site for clients who demanded something different. While ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) recognised the coastal positioning of the property and the practicalities that it demands (harsh climate and a lot of time spent covered in salt water and sand), the home ignores a coastal aesthetic. Instead, we embraced strong industrial structures and materials to create all of the necessities and luxuries of a city home at the beach.
You disengage the moment you arrive at Chain Mail. Everywhere you go, you are staring at the ocean. There is no (physical or psychological) block in your way. Multiple outdoor entertainment areas allow for all day entertainment, basking in the sun and view – whether you’re at the bottom, top, front or back of the home. The open light stairwell connects the upper and lower living whilst providing two very distinct spaces. Living, Kitchen, Indoor and Outdoor Dining and the Master Bedroom upstairs makes disconnecting from the world (and the kids) easily accessible. In turn, the kids have their own private existence downstairs.
The Master Bedroom and Bathroom needed to be truly private and given Stewart is on one of the busiest roads in Mount Maunganui, it was an exciting challenge. The solution? The left corner of the home was wrapped in chain mail (Kaynemaile) armour, shielding it from the world with no restrictions to the view or the outlook. Also like a blanket, the exaggerated roof cantilever wraps the outdoor living area, providing security from the elements and other distractions. Chain Mail is a welcome change to New Zealand’s coastal vernacular.
“Before we started our build project we started the search for an Architectural Designer, we wanted someone that was energetic, like minded and not scared to be different. Adam was our man and we have not been disappointed. A great friendship has evolved and the success we’ve had working together on our various projects ensures that we will continue a relationship with ata well into the future.”
Milly Stewart
Eleanor is not just another ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) project. She has a beautiful story and one we won’t forget. One of our first clients, the Woon’s, came back to us to design their for-keeps home. A fairly typical subdivision in Papamoa and a mere Frisbee throw to the beach. The house and landscaping were to be in complete harmony to create a calm and private escapement. She also needed to double as a lodge for when family came to stay. Two simple gable forms, perpendicular to each other, were the core branches where everything grew. One separates and privatizes the rear yard. The other, two story, provides protection from prevailing winds and importantly affords the upstairs bedrooms north-facing aspect.
On entry a highly detailed light-well sets the tone for this classically current home. This void also provides views to the garden, upper level and main living areas. The open living is cleverly demarcated with a battened ceiling rhythm and a two-sided fire. The exposed concrete slab in the living combined with precise joinery placement provides passive solar gain and passive ventilation. Hydronic central heating, in floor and from radiators, is powered by a highly efficient German designed heat pump. The volume and full height joinery defy her compact footprint. The ceiling steps down to a more intimate and comforting snug space. The kitchen has direct access to courtyards both sides with views to the pool. Externally, the brick is semi-bagged and finished in a warm white Porters lime wash paint. This treatment will naturally patina with time giving an organic feel. The matte finish blends beautifully with soft tones of grey and vertical cedar. Paired with a custom ATA aluminium angle screen, the aesthetic is refined further with our noded brick columns.
Eleanor, Greek for ‘bright, shining one’, holds her head high in this coastal development of sameness.
“Adam Taylor was recommended to me by one of his previous clients. I enjoyed Adams interpretation of my ideas and wish list and how he turned them into something with style – which is nothing short of stunning. Thanks to Adams clever design, I’m enjoying a very warm home this winter and I know it will be cool come summer. He has a natural ability of knowing the right mix of texture, materials and tones that look amazing. I particularly love the white lime-washed bagged brick walls that have pops of cedar to compliment it. I’m looking forward to my first summer in the house, when I can open the doors and enjoy the easy flow to the outdoor area. It’s gorgeous. Thank you Adam.”
Kay Woon
Pauanui Vice sits on a wide elbow site at the extreme edge of the Pauanui waterways in the Coromandel. Clients wanted a refined executive residence that could function like a Bach. The low slung 1950s Modernist structure was born.
The Neutra-inspired design by ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) provides privacy and creates a sense of elevation. The disguised subfloor doubles as a large water-tight plant room and storage space with added insulation. Full height glass ensures the ocean and mountains are felt from all spaces. Expansive yet intimate. Plenty of space for the wider family at Christmas yet with hideaway spaces like the Library and Retreat rooms. A drive through boat shed connects to a private boat ramp and pontoon.
An axis at the entry and an opposing axis running the length of the home forms the basis of the design. These axes define user movement and demarcate areas as well as separating sleeping and living spaces from garage and services. This axis divides off the master retreat along with service spaces and garage. The outdoor living provides great depth shadow to the residence. These hybrid transition spaces use walls of cedar cladding to add warmth and nod to the coastal environment. The square and methodical layout is harmonious with the square and refined exterior. All a gentle homage to simple modernist architecture.
“Adam was firstly a wonderful listener, and respectful of the vision and ideas that we presented to him, in order to begin designing our special family meeting place in Pauanui. But he also transported us out of our comfort zone into a modern, minimalist, floating beach house that now attracts constant drive-by attention. The brief to provide a sophisticated but simple space for three generations to enjoy holidays and celebrations in, has been truly met and exceeded. Our first Christmas in the house gave us the opportunity to experience and embrace Adams design – to completely open up the common living areas into one magnificent indoor-outdoor space, and appreciate the beautiful harbour and mountain views. Thank you from all of our family for creating a wonderful setting where memories can be made.”
Shelley and Geoff Payne
Two families, one bach. Shared space with 5 bedrooms and multi living on a 127m2 footprint. Compact, though not quite a ‘tiny house’, with tough site coverage rules. An architectural mash-up of industrial and natural and the original Pauanui utility sheds. Details expressed and deliberate. The inclusion of the mezzanine with space saver stair was not within NZ Building code, so ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) applied for a determination. Now it is.
Full height rope mesh arrest screen, exposed trusses, MDF negative detailed ceilings, plywood walls and MDF batten linings, and an epic burnished concrete floor. Too many beautiful details to name them all but there’s a few to get you going. Built for the sun and dividing outdoors for each season and occasion.
Teranui is the ADNZ (Architectural Designers New Zealand) Waikato Regional Winner – Residential New Home 150-300m2 – 2018.
“Our humble kiwi Bach in Pauanui, that houses two growing families needed an overhaul. We met with Adam from ATA and explained the must haves for our project being that it accommodates 10 adults and 2 dogs at a time plus room for extras, areas for boats, diving and fishing gear to be stored, plenty of outdoor living and spa pool as well as keeping a real Bach feel that was low maintenance but super cool with no plaster or brick in sight! All of these demands were to fit on a tiny 400sq site – easy! Adam took all of that on board and came up with his take on the kiwi shed concept. Using Coloursteel cladding, a pitched roof line to give an abundant feel of height as well as the opportunity to add a mezzanine floor and simple clean lines internally using white washed ply, black exposed roof trusses, doors and feature negative detail throughout. Adam nudged us out of our comfort zone with the inclusion of a space saver staircase to our mezzanine level and a floor to ceiling black “soccer net” type surround to give a stunning and unique enclosure. Both particular design features were firsts of their kind in New Zealand, requiring hours and hours of research, paper work and lengthy Council discussion. Thanks to Adam’s tireless commitment and determination, we are now the benefactors of a truly unique beautifully designed home that will give us years and years of fabulous family holidays. We cannot thank Adam and his team enough for blasting our expectations out of the water! Needless to say, we can highly recommend ata and they will be our first stop for our next building project.”
The Procter Families
ata (formerly known as Adam Taylor Architecture) is an award-winning, full-service architectural studio committed to the creation of intelligent, sustainable, and progressive design solutions.
Our projects are deeply grounded in understanding our clients. We work in an open and collaborative way to ensure the end result is relevant, meaningful, and reflects their unique identities.
Natural cues from sand sea and surf will continue to engrain this home into its surroundings year after year.
We were approached by the Georges to completely transform this ‘ugly’ house into something light and airy, connected and functional. An original solid timber home on block basement. She’s had at least five renovations over 50 years. The architecture needed to be sympathetic to the existing structure and mitigate day-lighting restrictions.
A simple white body that doubles down on detail everywhere. Ban-sawn Japanese Cedar weatherboards provide texture and gentle tonal change
“Adam and his team were the right people to work with on our project. Other architects or designers backed away from the scale of the job, but Adam understood our vision and our desire to renovate, and celebrate the quirks of an original Mount Maunganui home, while completely re-shaping its story. The house is beautiful and flooded with light, which was the first priority on our brief. We are thrilled with the spaces created, and love that we were creatively in tune with the Adam Taylor aesthetic and values.”
Hayley George
