Smerdon House

Preliminary design work for a residence located in the Coromandel Ranges of the North Island of New Zealand. The house site sits upon the crest of a large hill located in a second growth temperate rain forest with an average canopy height of 14 ft.

The client provided a brief that included a series of living and activity and spaces. The remote nature of the site requires that construction methods be carefully considered. The sketch models shown express the clients early desire to produce a spiraling building that will gently lift above the canopy.