Boldly Contrasting – Red House by Crosson Architects

Sitting deliberately in contrast to its naturally lush surrounds, Red House is a study of efficiency and cost consciousness. Crosson Architects brings a robust and low-maintenance approach to conjure a bold statement through colour and form, ensuring the residence sits as an unexpected element amongst its context.

 Located amongst dense foliage in Titirangi, west of Auckland, Red House sits tucked into its setting, while a vibrant red palette ensures it is a highly visible insertion. Encased in metal sheeting, the rectilinear form is wrapped in a hardy shell, sheltering its occupants from the elements, that is also lightweight and almost feels like a temporary shelter element on its base. The regularity of its form and controlled lines mimic that of a container, and through a custom and attuned approach to detailing, ensure its discovery as a delight. Core principles of cost effectiveness drive the material and formal decisions on site, with long and hard-wearing finishes ensuring an inbuilt enduring nature to the home. Crosson Architecture draws from a rural vernacular to propose a home of simplified principles and a controlled regularity.

The regularity of its form and controlled lines mimic that of a container, and through a custom and attuned approach to detailing, ensure its discovery as a delight.

Approaching across a timber planked boardwalk underfoot, the discovery and access to Red House is one imbedded in a sense of adventure and curiosity. In its siting and the unexpected positioning of such a dwelling, the home sits as a welcomed addition amongst the natural. The house is spread over two levels and brings a compact and well-tuned brief to the fore. The lower entry level sees the bedrooms and bathrooms sit close to the site, while a gallery space is doused in natural light from translucent panels. The upper level then brings the main living features of the home together, with an open and connected approach to planning.

While the form appears familiar, in both shape and materiality, the directional display of corrugated iron sheeting subtly creates movement in the façade, allowing light to interact with the surface in differing ways throughout the day. internally, the shell is wrapped in ply timber sheeting, creating a cocooning warmth. As an embrace of as much of the surrounds as possible, large skylights above bring sun into the upper level, which is then supported and accentuated with grazing that wraps the façade. Integrated into the living space is custom integrated shelving for display and cabinets for storage. Nostalgic items are hung as a reminder of the owners own family shoe business, adding a layer of their own history and narrative within the space.

In its siting, and the unexpected positioning of such a dwelling, the home sits as a welcomed addition amongst the natural.

Simplistic yet considered, Red House is founded on restraint. Crosson Architects contrastingly creates an impact, despite the constraints, and inserts an interesting sculpture amongst such organic and tumbling surrounds.