Touring a Coromandel Beach House

The Coromandel Bach House Tour 

A Modern Beach House in New Zealand

The Coromandel Bach is a contemporary beach house designed by Crosson Clark and Carnachan Architects. A Bach, pronounced like the start of 'bachelor' is a New Zealand term meaning beach house, seaside cabin or a holiday shack. Located on a spectacular beach side hill top this this modern mini vacation house was "conceived as a container sitting lightly on the land for habitation or the dream of habitation".

The construction was designed to capture the views and provide protection form the elements when needed. The beach house features large side panels that can be winched down to take advantage of the views or remounted to sort of pack the house in timber, shielding it from the elements. 

The living room follows a simple and functional plan, with large windows opening up to the outdoors and the spectacular views. " The central living room, open to the outside and the sun, is a metaphorical tent or campsite" say the architects at Crosson," while the children’s bunkrooms at one end are enclosed and cool. Bi-fold glass doors can be drawn back so the living room becomes a veranda providing shade." 

The house offers a reinterpretation of the New Zealand building tradition namely the crafting of wood. All outer decorations are made of natural timber, while on the insides thick cypress boards are left unlined, interior walls and ceiling panels are made of hoop pine plywood according to the architects.

The house was nominated and won several awards and prices:

•  World Architecture News Finalist / Top 6 Houses worldwide 2006
•  NZ Home & Entertaining / Home of the Decade Winner 1996 – 2005
•  NZIA Award 2003 / Award for Architecture 2003
•  Origin Timber Design Award / Architectural Excellence 2003
•  NZ Home & Entertaining / Home of the Year Winner 2003

Photos : Patrick Reynolds, via Crosson

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