Farm Cove House
Farm Cove - Auckland
Principal Architect - Ron Sang Project Architect - Darryl Sang
This project started as an alteration to replace the roof of but evolved into a new house.
The owners were unhappy with the poor feng shui of their existing home where an exposed beam ran down the middle of the house, including through the master bedroom. Sang Architects presented the client with a design for a new roof and a design for a new house. The clients were overjoyed with the new design which offered everything they wanted without compromise. A new house was born.
The Layout
This two-storey 630 square metre home was designed to meet the requirements of an active family with young children and visiting grandparents.
Guests are greeted with a 2 x 5m Sang Door finished in an auspicious red, sheltered under a large cantilevered Porte Cochere off the main cobbled entry drive.
A wall is placed according to feng shui principles to strategically limit the view from the entry to the rear garden. A glass bridge crossing over a pond connects the entrance foyer, triple garage and games room to the main home.
The ground floor has an entertainment room with a home theatre located next to the formal lounge with gas fireplace and the circular dining room. The kitchen is adjacent to the family room. The main living areas open out to the waterfall infinity edge swimming pool, spa and Summer House with an outdoor kitchen.
There are six bedrooms. The master bedroom suite and four bedrooms are on the first floor and a guest suite on the ground floor.
The owners wanted a low maintenance home that would retain its good looks for years to come. Solid concrete was chosen as the main construction material for its strength and longevity. Travertine, aluminium composite panel and solid plaster on concrete was used for durable exterior cladding.
Sustainable features include solar panels to heat the domestic hot water for the house and for the swimming pool. Rain water is harvested for the garden. A warm roof and good levels of insulation to the walls and under-slab and use of thermal mass help the house maintain a comfortable temperature all year around. All windows are double-glazed with many at full height to take advantage of the harbour view. The home is smart wired throughout.
Photographs by Frank Breslin
