Buckleton's Boat Shed

This south facing coastal site is only 20m from the high tide mark, and sits between 2m and 5m above sea-level with an overland flow path across the site that floods whenever there is significant rain. With sea-level rising and climate change bringing serve rain events at increasing magnitude and frequency, is it even sensible to build a house on this coastal site? This provocation has inspired an experimental house project that engages in the act of building on our vulnerable coastline of New Zealand in this climate uncertain world. The program called for a holiday house for a family of 5, a boatshed, 3 bedrooms with a large and small living space on a modest budget. As is typical of the coastline of New Zealand - land is often contained by the native bush and then opens to the expanse of the ocean. The concept sought a form that was generated by the site constraints and opportunities for occupation; lifting off the ground for flooding, gently rising to the wide elevated view over the beach, touching the land lightly toward the land to receive a boat and controlling privacy from the public reserve and neighbours. The solution - 2 alternately orientated rectangles placed at each end of the site, one frame tall as the old puriri tree at the road boundary but as narrow as a boat and the other frame stretching wide like the horizon of the sea. Walls, floor and roof enclose the space between them forming a transverse cuboid. Entry is either from the street, through the boatshed and up the ramp or from the beach reserve up the spiral staircase. Either way is intended to be equally informal as the lifestyle of a beach house would invite. From the ramp a bedroom and family bathroom are accessed and at its termination, the main living, dinning and kitchen space command the expansive view over the bay. A further level is accessed up a half flight of stairs to main bedroom, snug and 3rd bedroom over the boatshed. The overall composition is bold but simple and reminiscent of an ark floating above the land. The house sits on piles that extend 12m into the ground to resist coastal erosion from storm inundation, sea-level rise or overland flow. An ephemeral riverbed has been formed to control the flow path and native vegetation extends the natural landscape as a blanket under the house. Nature can alter the coastal environment below the house while occupation can continue for generations. Sustainability is at the core of this project. Primarily the building has be conceived to be resilient to the long-term effects of climate change: sea-level rise, periodic overland flow storm events and sea inundation. The project is both embodied carbon zero and maximises carbon sequestering by maximising timber use in construction. Minimising effects of water use: onsite stormwater disposal, rainwater harvesting and on-site effluent and grey water reticulation. Operational carbon is offset by onsite planting of over 400 plants and trees.