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Contextually Sculpted - Mawhiti by Stevens Lawson Architects
Generously unfolding across an oceanfront clifftop on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island, Mawhiti presents a sculptural masterpiece of context and craft. Designed by Stevens Lawson Architects and reciprocating the remarkable angularity of its neighbouring inspiration – the Gateway Pavilion, also designed by Stevens Lawson – the residence is powerful in character yet sensitive to the land it inhabits.
In a theatre of colour and shadow, the sun melts easily over the west coast of Waiheke Island, gently illuminating the abundant natural beauty of New Zealand. Reverently capturing the landscape’s allure through an explorative moment of pause, Stevens Lawson Architects’s Gateway Pavilion meanders over the cliff’s contours. Framing an idyllic view of Rangitoto Island with its whorling timber helix, the pavilion prompts visitors to move through its cocooning anatomy and focus their gaze toward the sea. Its geometric form planted the seed for a second structure at the site, manifesting in Mawhiti. Perched atop the coastline’s grassy undulations, the two forms meet in kinship – both toward one another and with the region’s heritage.
“The Gateway Pavilion was originally built for the ‘Sculpture on the Gulf ’ exhibition,” tells Nicholas Stevens, Co-Founder of Stevens Lawson Architects. “It was an experiment in creating a sculptural form and unique spatial experience using straight members of timber. The form morphs from a traditional open gable end, which evokes a Māori whare– a traditionally open plan communal dwelling – to an organic geometric composition of fanning ribs and twisted planes.” Stirring the incarnation of Mawhiti as an accompanying holiday home to complete the setting, he describes that “Mawhiti’s living pavilions were designed in timber as a companion piece, the two structures in conversation – the new composition, however, calmer and simpler.”
Mawhiti comprises a compelling retreat of three united pavilions that “relate to the geometry of the Gateway Pavilion and have an empathetic relationship to the landform.” Irregularly segmented and interconnected through ideation with its sibling, the architecture of the home represents the richness of Māori culture, emulating familiar barn and whare silhouettes to carve a new footprint that remains true to its setting. “The open-fronted whare is an iconic form in the cultural landscape of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and speaks of hospitality and welcome,” explains Nicholas. “The form of the gabled barn in the landscape is a picturesque trope dear to many people, loved for its simplicity, utility and lack of pretension. We wanted Mawhiti to evoke all these qualities and to express a local sensibility.”
Cleverly constructed to affect a mighty presence that simultaneously remains unobtrusive within the landscape, Nicholas details the approach that ensured Mawhiti’s ample stature would exist with respectful harmony. “The gabled roof drops down to a low eave, minimising the visual impact from the harbour,” he says, adding that “the dark roof and natural timber cladding contribute to this recessive quality.” The faceted collection of forms contains two sleeping pavilions and one living pavilion, offering tranquil moments of privacy in their partitioning whilst encouraging one to wander through connecting passages and the exterior alcoves they create. “The configuration allowed us to establish private micro-gardens in the spaces between, which open off the ensuite bathrooms,” remarks Nicholas. Each of the home’s four magnificently sized bedrooms are just steps away from the natural environment, taking advantage of direct access to the cosy courtyards and an outdoor soaking tub for meditative rejuvenation and enjoying pastel-hued sunsets.
Embracing the surrounding cinematic beauty, Mawhiti’s living pavilion is an expressive expanse of soaring wooden ceilings and uninterrupted glazing that mingles indoor and outdoor living. Featuring an abundantly appointed chef ’s kitchen and comfortable lounging and dining areas warmed by an open fireplace, the space connects to an open-air deck for days spent barbecuing and sipping drinks in the sunshine. As the day dissolves to night, the glowing fireplace crackles in concert with the wash of waves breaking downslope on the shores of the home’s private beach.
Capturing the spirit of the land and its people through material selection and thoughtful detailing, Mawhiti sees slender paddles become impressive door handles, whilst the home’s curation of sculptures, paintings and furnishings have been fashioned by local makers. Wholly fabricated in timber, the rippling of its grain in the cladding is naturally soothing and mirrors the wave pattern of the sea swell, dressing the walls to the peaks of the vaulted ceilings above. “The experience of Mawhiti is calming and rejuvenating,” tells Nicholas. “The use of timber for the structure and cladding both inside and out gives a natural warmth and simple crafted quality, while the plain burnished concrete floors evoke a monastic earthiness. We love the way it feels to occupy, both calming and uplifting at the same time. The high sheltering roof, with its triangulated timber structure, evokes an almost spiritual atmosphere.”
An ambient haven, Mawhiti grants togetherness and sanctums of separation for lodgers looking to immerse themselves in nature amongst a poignant melding of art and architecture. Ostensibly rugged in its unique asymmetry, the residence is sustained in perfect alignment, with a backbone that supports the peaceful experience of its guests whilst the topography cradles its timbered pavilions with care.
