RALbreakfast, Peka Peka Bach Competition in association Productspec.net
Finalist + Special Award – Judges Choice!
The main building takes the form of a shed - a building type that is common in New Zealand rural area. The simple portal frame structure is 5m high, 8m wide and 30m long and clad with corrugated fiber reinforced plastics on the outside. The building appears light and translucent, conceptually confronting/responding to the wild West-coast environmental condition. The entire building glows warmly at night. The shed itself is divided into three parts (8m x 10 m each) - storage, sleeping and living. The storage area contains two main spaces - an 8m x 7.6m long garage and a 7m x 2.4m shelving unit which is able to store all furniture and personal items in order to give complete openness to the other two parts of the building. It is also super fun to climb and hide in! The sleeping area has 7 light-wells, they are transparent walls with plants growing inside; 0.5m wide, various length, full height and opening up to the roof. The light-wells (in longitudinal direction) and screens (in transverse direction) divide the sleeping area into smaller units. These light wells provide un-filtered sunlight, visual interest in the form of plantings within them, and a form of privacy more apt to the family bach. There are 5 lines of screen, which are waterproof truck side curtains on tracks, the material is very durable and retains heat in spaces. There is also an opportunity to easily create large graphic works on each of these screens. There are two "wet-rooms", including toilets, showers and basins, located in the northern and southern corners of the sleeping area. We felt that this flexible notion of dividing the plan of the bach would suit both openness with the clients and their children, the inevitable privacy that they are probably going to want as teenagers and the efficient allocation of spaces when larger groups come to stay. The living area has two movable kitchen facilities, as well as the moving pavilion. The moving pavilion is a 4m wide, 6 long, 2.6m high box, made from glass with a laser cut aluminum structure. This is an area which we suggest could have graphic treatment as well. The pavilion itself sits on reclaimed train tracks which take it from within the main building to the northern most tip of the site, providing a base for BBQ's and jaunts across the sand dunes. The pavilion is effectively a lounge area whilst within the shed. However, when it moves away it becomes a second building on the landscape. This structure can be opened up fully on all four sides. Technically its not a vehicle so we would suggest a good supply of wine for any long trips.
