Elevated Openness – The Rise by Sumich Chaplin Architects and Charlotte Sumich Interiors

Elevated at an enviable height above Auckland, The Rise optimises its position as a lookout whilst balancing privacy and protection from the elements. Sumich Chaplin Architects and Charlotte Sumich Interiors combine to carefully orchestrate a connected living environment that celebrates sweeping views as it nestles into the landscape.

With views in all directions, creating a sense of balance between public and private spaces drove the design resolve for The Rise. Whilst moments embrace the openness and lofted positioning, other areas are protected from the incoming and sometimes harsh winds and create retreat-like, secluded spaces. Coming together as a series of banded platforms, the home is spread over multiple levels, and through placing the living areas on the uppermost level, optimum access to views could be accessed. Protected due to its richly layered history and heritage as a Māori Pā site, a certain sensitivity needed to be taken by Sumich Chaplin Architects and Charlotte Sumich Interiors to ensure the response was both respectful and appropriate.

Isolated in its heightened removal from other residences, the home sits surrounded by native species of flora, with the landscape playing a significant role in buffering the outer edges of the built form.

Isolated in its heightened removal from other residences, the home sits surrounded by native species of flora, with the landscape playing a significant role in buffering the outer edges of the built form. Designed by Suzanne Turley Landscapes, a series of outdoor destinations are dotted throughout the site with varying degrees of openness to cater for changing weather and functionality, such as the integrated infinity pool. Looking out toward the Haruraki Gulf, new plantings sit among those indigenous to the site, weaving the old with the new.

As a way to manage heat from the sun and incoming natural light, the upper floor plays a vital role in supporting the everyday comfort of the home, whilst remaining visually connected to the surrounds. With terraces and covered outdoor spaces allowing the indoor spaces to extend outward, the orientation of key areas ensures an alignment with the sun. Contrastingly, the creation of more protected outdoor areas expresses privacy and the desire to retreat. Emphasising the generous proportions of the home, the interior is lightened through a monochromatic base, broken up by natural timber and stone throughout.

Looking out toward the Haruraki Gulf, new plantings sit among those indigenous to the site, weaving the old with the new.

True to its name, The Rise is metaphorically elevated to further heights than its peaked location, where a refinement is brought to each of the comprising elements. In connecting to the surrounds and creating key reminders of the fortunate positioning of the home, Sumich Chaplin Architects and Charlotte Sumich Interiors overlay a restrained mix of compression-and-release moments.