Scrubby Bay House, DESIGNED BY Patterson Associates
FROM THE ARCHITECTS
This is a robust structure, designed to form the centre piece of a remote, symmetrical and thundering surf beach. It is sited on one of New Zealand’s iconic coastal sheep and cattle stations and is intended as a farm experience for family groups up to 12 people. It is accessed by helicopter from Christchurch Airport or by farm track. It was commissioned by an expatriate New Zealand owner as a base from where multiple farm and coastal activities can be discovered, enjoyed, and recovered. A vernacular verandahed form belies its massive scale — the apex height is at 5.5 metres and its knee at 3.4 metres — in a fully macrocarpa interior, traditionally detailed and juxtaposed against black steel fittings. At the centre of the house is a stone fireplace, constructed from rock quarried from the station. The project incorporates mainly custom-designed fittings, door hardware, furniture and lighting, oak grills and handles. The building shuts down during storms or when unoccupied and, when opened, sets up both seaward and leeward exterior environments. It is conceived of as a piece of slowly aging farm driftwood — in the future, stock might come right up to the building.
