Huruhi
A small-scale home on Waiheke Island in New Zealand blends into the rugged landscape that envelops it, and is the perfect canvas for Ambitec’s polished plaster finishes.
Set into a rugged slope on Waiheke Island off the coast of Auckland, the contours of Huruhi by Bossley Architects take inspiration from the incline itself. This line is echoed by the roof, which conceals the villa; below, the undulating ceiling references the terrain beyond.
The holiday home is designed around the undulations of the mountain, with a “strong, curved spine wall evocative of a contour line,” says Bossley Architects director Finn Scott. By placing this structural buttress – built from rough dry-stacked Waiheke stone – at the back of the home, the living spaces open out to the water views beyond and seamlessly draw the landscape inside.
Inside, the bolstering wall has been finished in Ambitec’s Suave polished plaster. The finish pulls double duty: it works in tandem with the muted architectural palette, while highlighting Huruhi’s design features. “We chose a polished plaster finish for this wall to accentuate the curve and the natural light reaching across the living spaces and down the hallway,” says Scott. For continuity, the finish was also used in the bedrooms and subtly lit to bring out the textures of the hand rendering.
Throughout the selection process, Ambitec worked closely with Bossley Architects to choose the correct colour, gloss and texture – a process it undertakes to ensure the plaster chosen suits the space and the colour is precise. The Bossley Architects team were shown small-scale samples in its studio and large-scale samples on site, guaranteeing the finishes were appropriate. This bespoke approach is a default for Ambitec, which offers end-to-end service on all projects, both residential and commercial, from design and supply to installation.
“We chose a polished plaster finish for the bolstering wall to accentuate the curve and the natural light reaching across the living spaces and down the hallway.”
The Suave plaster offers great versatility in its palette of single- and two-tone colours, which range from natural white to deep black, as well as six texture patterns. It was specifically selected for this project for the number of off-white shades on offer and for complementing the tones of the Waiheke stone. “Suave in Misty White was a nice white without being too bright,” says Scott.
Huruhi is one of several collaborations between Ambitec and Bossley Architects. It’s a testament to the more than 20 years of experience Ambitec has in working with New Zealand’s architecture and design community on bespoke surface solutions. Ambitec has led the way in the space, introducing premium polished plaster finishes and design-led solutions into the local market. Over that time, the business has established a reputation for finishes that nod to contemporary design trends while remaining timeless – a quality underpinned by the durability and quality of the finishes. Not only are Ambitec’s polished plasters notable for their range of colours and textures, but its seamless range of applications – including across walls and ceilings – ensures a wide variety of uses.
Ambitec’s work on Huruhi is a key example of the multidimensionality of its polished plasters and the importance of its full-circle service. From the beginning of a project’s conception to its completion, Ambitec is a master at holistic design- and function-led surface solutions that elevate and enhance.
The Bossley Architects team were shown small-scale samples in its studio and large-scale samples on site, guaranteeing the finishes were appropriate.
