Pitau
Our retiring clients had a dream: to craft their perfect home - one that reflected their tastes, passions and lifestyle and importantly create a statement. Envisioned as something between an apartment and traditional dwelling; expansive enough for entertaining but to also feel like a personal sanctuary. Pitau is sculptural architecture, changing with the sun and seasons.
With views of Mt Maunganui and the harbour, this site near downtown offers a unique perspective. A north-east south-west axis is graced by trees providing a vista in contrast with typical suburbia. A blend of orientation and seclusion was the goal; to capture natural light and create privacy. Two distinct nodes arrange the brief. The north houses ground floor living, carefully orchestrated to ensure privacy. Above lies a master retreat accessed via a void and bridge; while on the southern side a ground floor garage showcases toys and discreetly hides service areas. Above which private guest suites face north-west for views. The arrangement weaved seamlessly into our vision of a sculptural and bold piece of architecture. The form is a simple gable which has been split, slid and flared. Its angles rejecting the typical boundary parallel approach of its neighbours, instead offering a sleek and sophisticated form with a certain movement expressed. The custom ATA designed cedar profile amplifying this creating a shadowed textural façade. Landscaping weaves its way throughout, creating pockets of visual beauty to soften the hard edges linking it with nature. The architectural form is echoed, allowing for moments of peace from neighbouring commotion while providing a more human scale.
A custom ATA designed vertical shiplap cedar profile wraps the building. Shaped from 28mm thick boards, its raking face creates a three-dimensional effect that highlights the buildings form and elevates its aesthetic.
Precise details on corners and across solar/privacy screens add rhythm and harmony. Imported and mortar less soft grey tumbled bricks form a heavy plinth and complete a sophisticated yet weathered exterior. The restraint of the simple material palette deliberately chosen to create a focus on the buildings form.
A large building but welcoming and lightweight; Integrating a delicate first floor cantilever and terraced landscaping with slatting, screening, and other elements for scale.
The interiors embrace materials from the exterior, connecting and unifying both worlds. This cohesiveness brings a sense of sophistication. The textures are layered further by practical materials such as stainless steel and burnished concrete. Warmth is derived through unique accents like Oak flooring, aged brass, and rumbled Travertine. Shape and detail ever present particularly the faceted custom steel kitchen island that arranges the living space.
Performance is derived through sound passive design solutions. Strategic glazing orients to the north while carefully crafted solar shading adorns the western façade. To further increase efficiency, additional roof insulation and 140mm wall frames provide thermal comfort in tandem with recessed thermally broken windows. The custom recessed window detailing a feature itself of the façade. Finally, a completely thermally broken slab ensure minimal hydronic heating inputs are needed.
