A Home of Contrasts – Black and White House by Studio John Irving
A home of contrasts, where the old and new are defined by each end of the spectrum of the monochromatic scale, Black and White House sees Studio John Irving propose restoration and renovation works to a heritage home in Auckland.
Situated on an enviable clifftop site in Auckland, Black and White House overlooks the Orakei Basin, with views reaching out toward Rangitoto Island. Combining old and new elements, the premise of the new and restoration works is simple; the older elements of the original 1920s Arts and Crafts house are expressed in white, and the new contemporary addition and interventions are expressed in black. The resulting palette in between these opposite ends of the spectrum sees various shades of grey, muted tones and textures, making the transition effortless and deliberate. Studio John Irving brings together the existing and the future through a simplified lens.
Transitioning between the existing and the new elements is an in-situ concrete shuttered wall. This anchored vertical structure allows for the cantilevered stair to be hung without an additional, complicated structural support system. The resulting stair becomes a weightless sculptural element that casts shadows of filtered light below and sits as an open reminder of the connectedness of the home. The lightwell above the stair then adds to the drama of its presence in the void, encouraging movement and flow upward.
The original home was in need of dire repair, resulting in a near new rebuild of the entire home, withholding the original façade and streetscape frontage. The renovation and restoration work see the family home brought back to life, respecting the original arts and crafts eclecticism and bringing a renewed sense of the contemporary under the one roof. The transition between the old and the new are literally bridged together by a glass link bridge with the pool teetering out over the cliff-base site.
Black and White House overlooks the Orakei Basin, with views reaching out toward Rangitoto Island.
Black and White House sees materiality that subtly celebrates the existing, but also proposes an extension that speaks to a timeless projection into the future. The consistent use of warm muted timber as flooring and joinery carries through to the kitchen and other living areas. Cool natural stone then complements bathrooms, channelling the white used throughout. Natural light and its interacting penetration between exterior and interior add another layer, representing the sun and environmental elements effect on the home.
Optimising the unique location, Studio John Irving has created a contemporary haven that carefully, yet with ease, integrates the existing with the new.
