Responsive Robustness – The Sandcastle by Ponting Fitzgerald Architects
Stretching alongside the terrain below, The Sandcastle is imagined as an extension of the beach and as a playful gesture to the limitless potential of building childhood sandcastles. As a key narrative of the home, Ponting Fitzgerald Architects focuses on the raw and weathered expression of concrete as an absorber of the environment.
Located within five kilometres of Auckland in Point Chevalier, The Sandcastle feels both connected and removed from the city. The heighted positioning sits enviably above the beach below whilst city views in the distance connect to a more bustling environment. As a balancing of the best of both worlds, the harbourside home combines sensibilities of each – a refinement of the inner urban fabric with the casual and less confined movements of the sea. Ponting Fitzgerald Architects draws on the metaphor of playing with sand on the beach and the endless potential of the material.
The owner aspired to mimic the fluid nature of sand through a concrete casted form whilst also appropriately responding to the incoming winds and coastal conditions. Built by Bannan Construction, The Sandcastle was cast in-situ with concrete acting as the primary structural and finishing materiality of the home. The patterns imprinted allow a varied engagement with natural light, adding character and depth to the façade. There is a deliberateness to the non-orthogonal planning of the spaces and how they intercept, as access to views and natural light were treated as a priority throughout the home.
Spanning three levels, the structure sits weighted down by concrete, allowing glazing elements to balance out the heavier materiality – openings frame views and give glimpses of the harbour as a constant reminder of place. As an extension of the beach below, the concrete form references the grit of sand whilst the fluid transparency of water is mirrored with glass. The combined use of natural timber adds an element of warmth and texture while Atlantic stone inserts a smoother and refined element of coolness.
The build draws heavy inspiration from its surroundings, staying faithful to both the natural and urban elements in sight. Combining a rugged rawness with the refined resolutions of an inner-city home, The Sandcastle is a considered family home, seeing Ponting Fitzgerald optimise the location in full.
