An Incremental Meandering – Hilltop House by Cheshire Architects

Incrementally engaging with its site, the materiality that comprises Hilltop House is arranged to create a stepped pattern as it takes form and meanders its terrain. Cheshire Architects takes referential cues from the site’s existing agricultural narrative and composes a considered series of volumes that embrace its remoteness.

Sited in the north of the North Island of New Zealand, Hilltop House is located in the Purerua Peninsula, in the famed Bay of Islands. Its unique positioning affords multiple enviable views in an array of directions, while having a distinct connection to the coast. The site it occupies has its own embedded and interesting narrative, allowing the new residential build to sit amongst a former cattle farm and the restored elements that remain. As a nod to its past, and in keeping with a vernacular of the coastal condition, the resulting home sees a masonry, timber and glass structure come together and open generously to its enviable outposts. Cheshire Architects uses the home’s context as the inspiration for both the spatial arrangement and navigation of the terrain, responding through a stepped and incremental form.

The structure is comprised of three distinct elements, all subtly brought together as they meander the site, while referencing the traditional functional elements that would have comprised the existing station.

To achieve the robust home, Cheshire Architects worked closely with Terry Hunziker on the interiors and engineering by Holmes Consulting and NDY. The structure is comprised of three distinct elements, all subtly brought together as they meander the site, while referencing the traditional functional elements that would have comprised the existing station. The home can be is broken down into an observatory, an underground store and a supporting barn structure. Each is expressed in their own unique and identifiable way, ensuring a sense of place and distinct destinations were created in the process. These main forms are then connected through pavilions and adjoined roof structures to ensure flow of movement internally and cohesion overall.

Looking to the historical sourcing of materiality on site, Hilltop House becomes a culmination of the past and present, expressed through a refined and crafted resolve. In its highly elevated positioning, the home remains anchored to its landing through a weighted quality. The select materiality creates a sense of surety and security, linking the built amongst the more wild and untamed natural elements. Insitu concrete features are combined with raw steel, roughened local stonework and unsealed timber. Each is expressed with an undisguised honesty, reinforcing an affront to the climate it sits amongst, while providing shelter and protection for its residents.

As a nod to its past, and in keeping with a vernacular of the coastal condition, the resulting home sees a masonry, timber and glass structure come together and open generously to its enviable outposts.

The references to this unique site and its agricultural past see Hilltop House emerge as a home deeply embedded with contextual sensitives, in which Cheshire Architects combines contemporary refinement with a considered and crafted approach.