A House of Contrast – Caspers House by Glamuzina Architects and Dessein Parke

A home of contrast, Caspers House is the result of the collaboration between Glamuzina Architects and interior design and styling studio Dessein Parke. Functioning as the personal residence of lead interior designer Natalie Parke, the home expresses a sense of adventure that sets it apart from the typical New Zealand dwelling.

Found at the break of the dense greenery on Paku Hill, Caspers House fills a small expanse of flat ground at the base of an old volcano. Located at the edge of scenic Tairua on The Coromandel Peninsula, the residence is orientated northwest towards the surf beach that defines the relaxed, coastal area. Having recognised the opportunity to raise her children close to the sea and estuaries, Natalie reached out to Glamuzina Architects – with whom Dessein Parke has had a successful working history – to begin the design of her own home.

Capitalising on the unique framework of the home, the internal configuration of Caspers House represents a bold exploration of space.

Architecturally, Caspers House is a characterful and well-balanced building. Inspired by the A-frame roof form, Glamuzina Architects crafts a triangular structure with a slight height shift between elements, allowing for maximised scale and volume whilst presenting a visually rhythmic façade. Comprised of corrugated fiberglass, the exterior proposes a surprising juxtaposition between ideas of utilitarianism and beauty. Though the undulating shape of the fiberglass is reminiscent of practical garden sheds, the other aesthetic properties of the lightweight material – such as its elegant finish – are subtle and pleasant, especially when enhanced by sunlight. The resulting home appears both exposed and refined, presenting as a singular entity in the landscape.

Capitalising on the unique framework of the home, the internal configuration of Caspers House represents a bold exploration of space. Open-plan components are contrasted with split levels, creating an internal flow of compression and expansion that sees residents guided through the home towards a floor-to-ceiling window with a view to the surf. Within the residential volume, the kitchen is separated from the lounge by a change in level and the beds in the bunkroom similarly distanced. A mezzanine provides another distinct living space. By grasping the spatial opportunities afforded by the architecture of the home, the interiors playfully enable privacy to be enjoyed within communally inhabited areas.

Whilst the surrounding coastal climate may at times be harsh and challenging, the interior of Caspers House speaks to a reassuring sense of safety.

Converse to the conservative nature of typical New Zealand interiors, Caspers House expresses a brave design approach. Internally, the walls are painted in dark and muted tones to calm the senses and absorb light, offering a soothing alternative to the stark white environments often found in other dwellings. Whilst the surrounding coastal climate may at times be harsh and challenging, the interior of Caspers House speaks to a reassuring sense of safety. Natural light is embraced in different iterations – entering horizontally across the spaces and vertically through the roof – creating a visual experience that changes as the day progresses. The mezzanine is extended with sturdy netting to provide an unconventional resting place, abstractly referencing the location of the house on the volcano and allowing residents access to breathtaking views from the highest point of the home.

Throughout the day, Caspers House changes. As the collaborative efforts of Dessein Parke and Glamuzina Architects respond to the ever-shifting natural light, the entire home takes on an ethereal character, making it worthy of its name.