Contemporary Farmhouse in North Island by Studio John Irving

This beautiful farmhouse sited on a windswept hill overlooking a dairy farm, the straights of State Highway One and the distant sea views of the Whangarei Heads and the Hen and Chicks Islands, New Zealand. The design responds to this as three separate blocks for sleeping, living and working. The blocks are linked by a concrete spine that runs the length of the house and conceptually braces it from the howling westerly winds. The gaps between the blocks form sheltered courtyards. The spine’s other purpose is separating the open sloping roofed pavilion front from the closed back, which forms the entry area and arrival court. The house also doubles as their new bach so the detailing is casual: finger pulls on plywood doors; a sliding door hiding secret laundry and storage rooms and the television is also hidden away. – Architect : Studio John Irving