Awaawaroa House

The Awaawaroa House on Waiheke Island, designed by Cheshire Architects for outdoor enthusiasts, is a remarkable architectural achievement composed of three buildings centered around a courtyard, creating an outdoor room concept. Situated on a south-facing site with views of Awaawaroa Bay and protected from prevailing winds by a hill, the design prioritizes shelter and seamless indoor-outdoor living, diverging from conventional designs that prioritize views at the expense of comfort.

The main living area resides in a central gabled structure, marked by its height and varied cladding, serving as the house's public domain. Recycled Oregon timber from a demolition site clads the building ends, extending indoors for wall cladding, while COLORSTEEL® Lichen in an Espan® profile covers the rest, enhancing the structure's integration with its natural surroundings and providing robust protection. This choice of lichen color not only harmonises with the canvas-clad two-bedroom blocks but also evokes the classic canvas tent's essence, reinforcing the home's integration with the landscape.

Inside, the living pavilion features built-in furniture, offering serene bay views, while the courtyard acts as a central connecting space, blending indoor and outdoor environments seamlessly. The bedroom and ensuite blocks, accommodating up to ten guests, boast a tent and yacht-like aesthetic with canvas exteriors that animate with the wind, enhanced by cozy fireplaces.

Awaawaroa House stands out for its unique approach to residential design, offering a blend of aesthetics and functionality that promotes a relaxed, holiday-like lifestyle. The COLORSTEEL® Lichen cladding is pivotal in achieving this ambiance, providing a sense of enclosure and protection. Cheshire Architects envisioned the home as a simple, informal retreat that disconnects its inhabitants from city life, emphasizing natural integration and a laid-back way of living.