Sustainable Homes

An Architectural Off-Grid Home In Auckland's Waitakere Ranges

Paul Davidson is always building something. After renovating an old house, the designer was craving a new project, so he set about creating his future family home from scratch on a five-acre forest block in Anawhata, Auckland.

Paul describes the relatively compact 120 square metre home as a ‘cabin’ that emulates the feeling of being outdoors. 

Slowly created over five years, the home embraces its natural environment with robust timbers and a perched position overlooking the treetops. At night, the surrounding environment lights up, serving as an amazing deep green nighttime scene.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes

Designer Paul Davidson’s family home is a compact 120 square metre ‘cabin’ that emulates the feeling of being outdoors. Photo – Simon Wilson

The design of Paul’s family house was driven by the site, located on five acres of forest in Anawhata, Auckland. Photo – Simon Wilson

. A natural stained cedar entrance door hints at the warmth to be found inside. Photo – Simon Wilson

The home’s built form draws on the New Zealand architectural vernacular—including wharenui (meeting house) and backcountry huts—with modernist-inspired detailing within. Photo – Simon Wilson

A desk extends from the indoor living area. Photos – Simon Wilson

Honey-toned birch plywood envelopes the interior ceiling and wall. Photo – Simon Wilson

Paul built much of the home (with the assistance from a builder friend Simon Spierer on the structure), including the design and fabrication of the cabinetry and most of the furniture.  Photo – Simon Wilson

Seated Nude Art Print by Carmel Van Der Hoeven. Photo – Simon Wilson

Seated Nude Art Print by Carmel Van Der Hoeven. Photo – Simon Wilson

 The framing is made from locally-sourced macrocarpa, with reclaimed black maire on the floor. Photo – Simon Wilson

The project was driven by the financial considerations, both now and into the future, without requiring sacrificing on quality materials. ‘A simple envelope means less issues long term,’ says Paul. Photo – Simon Wilson

Photo – Simon Wilson

The house operates off-grid with passive cooling in summer, and a Pyro Mini wood burner that provides warmth in winter. Photo – Simon Wilson

The house is just as spectacular at night as it is during the day, thanks to a lighting scheme that illuminates the trees after dark. Photo – Simon Wilson

‘We often have native ruru/morepork flying past on the hunt for insects, which is pretty magical,’ says Paul. Photo – Simon Wilson

The plan comprises the ground floor with a mezzanine above. Photo – Simon Wilson

Writer
Amelia Barnes
20th of April 2023

Outside his client work as a designer and builder, Paul Davidson always has his own projects on the go.

Designing personal projects allows for a more experimental process than those created for clients, as seen in Paul’s own family home created from scratch over five years. ‘You get to try some things that you probably wouldn’t do on a client’s house,’ he explains.  

The design of Paul’s family house responds to its site located on five acres of forest in Anawhata, along Auckland’s west coast. ‘It was cleared for farming before WWII and returned to native bush afterwards, so the forest is now about 80 years old,’ Paul says. 

‘When we bought the section it was untouched without any clearings to speak of. It’s zoned as a significant ecological area, so we couldn’t clear any of the land until we had planning approval, which made designing quite difficult.’

Paul’s design aims to touch the land lightly and capture its forest outlook. Standing in the home should feel reminiscent of being in nature when hiking or camping. ‘We wanted to recreate that feeling of awe and exhilaration you get in the outdoors—that connection to the natural environment,’ he says, ‘I guess we wanted it to feel like we’re on holiday when we’re at home.’

The home’s built form draws on the New Zealand architectural vernacular—including wharenui (meeting house) and backcountry huts—with modernist-inspired detailing within. The plan comprises the ground floor with a mezzanine above. 

The building form was driven by the financial considerations, both now and into the future, without requiring sacrificing on quality materials. ‘A simple envelope means less issues long term,’ says Paul. 

Dark stained cedar and a dark roof help the building sink into the forest, while a contrasting  back lit screen of polycarbonate illuminates the entrance.

Inside the house, honey-toned birch plywood envelopes the interior ceiling and walls. The framing is made from locally-sourced macrocarpa, with reclaimed black maire on the floor. 

Paul built much of the home himself to further cut costs (with the assistance from a builder and friend Simon Spierer on the structure), including the design and fabrication of the cabinetry and most of the furniture. 

It operates off-grid with passive cooling in summer, and a Pyro Mini wood burner that provides warmth in winter. Potable water supply is collected off the roof and stored, and wastewater is treated on site.  

This house is just as spectacular at night as it is during the day, thanks to a lighting scheme that illuminates the trees after dark. ‘We light up the forest in front of the large living room window, so instead of having a large black wall of glass, we have an amazing deep green nighttime scene,’ says Paul.

‘We often have native ruru (Morepork) flying past on the hunt for insects, which is pretty magical. My favourite thing is to put my feet up in front of the fire with a nice glass of whiskey.’

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