Emerging Naturally – Coast Home by Stacey Farrell
As an immersion in place, Coast House tightly hugs the terrain of its site, weaving the built elements among the natural as an extension of one another. Stacey Farrell respectfully proposes the addition with a keen appreciation and acknowledgement of the unique siting, ensuring a minimal impacting footprint.
Located in Omaui on the South Island of New Zealand, Coast House sits deliberately disguised in the surrounding natural vegetation. Being able to occupy a site in such a richly diverse habitat is a privilege and a matched sense of understanding and appreciation is needed ¬¬¬– the need to minimise disturbance of the surrounding ecosystem at the forefront. Cloaked in an assortment of darkened materials, the overall mass sits recessive amongst its surrounds, allowing the natural elements to remain the focus. Stacey Farrell works to the requests of the client to create a discreet hideaway designed to honour the natural surrounds.
Cloaked in an assortment of darkened materials, the overall mass sits recessive amongst its surrounds, allowing the natural elements to remain the focus.
Ensuring the home was both robust and low maintenance, setting the tone for the selection of materiality and the construction method was important. The challenge was balancing an element of resilience with the comforts of a contemporary home. With its remote location, access and transport across and through the landscape also informed constructability and form. Being allowed to sit among such an interesting and unique landscape, the resulting structure is both respectfully sized and responsive.
Comprised of two main forms, the structure comes together in an echoing gesture of the ocean and mountains meeting, referencing the story of place. Sitting in the centre of the project is a native beech tree, protected by the encasing form whilst allowing a natural connection from all directions. The internal courtyard space allows for a private and protective outdoor area that is separate from the surrounding wilderness. Intended to be eventually engulfed by the landscape, the external form becomes akin to a trellis; meanwhile, the interior features hard-wearing and exposed lining to ensure the space is warm and reflective of its remoteness.
