Top five houses of 2014

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Mission Bay House. Pre-finished oak flooring defines the living zone and kitchen, while glazed walls brings a feeling of transparency and openness.

Mission Bay House. Pre-finished oak flooring defines the living zone and kitchen, while glazed walls brings a feeling of transparency and openness. Image: Emma-Jane Hetherington

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The stairwell to the master-bedroom block features a pattered iron screen.

The stairwell to the master-bedroom block features a pattered iron screen. Image: Emma-Jane Hetherington

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Mission Bay House. The courtyard paving continues seamlessly into a dining area within the pavilion to further blur the transition between alfresco and interior spaces.

Mission Bay House. The courtyard paving continues seamlessly into a dining area within the pavilion to further blur the transition between alfresco and interior spaces. Image: Emma-Jane Hetherington

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Mission Bay House, Auckland by DAA. The house responds to the owners’ brief for a ‘portal to the garden’ with the ground level areas opening directly onto the yard on multiple sides.

Mission Bay House, Auckland by DAA. The house responds to the owners’ brief for a ‘portal to the garden’ with the ground level areas opening directly onto the yard on multiple sides. Image: Emma-Jane Hetherington

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Kohimarama renovation, by Graeme Cunningham. A reconfiguration of casual living areas along with the addition of outdoor spaces gives this house an increased sense of amenity.

Kohimarama renovation, by Graeme Cunningham. A reconfiguration of casual living areas along with the addition of outdoor spaces gives this house an increased sense of amenity. Image: Sam Hartnett

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Kohimarama renovation. The kitchen has been re-sited to the former living area, while the existing courtyard has been enlarged to provide generous outdoor living.

Kohimarama renovation. The kitchen has been re-sited to the former living area, while the existing courtyard has been enlarged to provide generous outdoor living. Image: Sam Hartnett

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Kohimarama renovation. The original brief was to just update the kitchen which was eventually amended to include the living areas and outdoors.

Kohimarama renovation. The original brief was to just update the kitchen which was eventually amended to include the living areas and outdoors. Image: Sam Hartnett

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Boatsheds, Auckland by Strachan Group Architects. Spread over three levels and across three pavilions this large family home has been accommodated on a fairly modest site.

Boatsheds, Auckland by Strachan Group Architects. Spread over three levels and across three pavilions this large family home has been accommodated on a fairly modest site. Image: Patrick Reynolds

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Boatsheds, Auckland. Plywood lines the walls and the ceilings of the relaxed interior, and thermal mass is stored by block walls and stone tiles.

Boatsheds, Auckland. Plywood lines the walls and the ceilings of the relaxed interior, and thermal mass is stored by block walls and stone tiles. Image: Patrick Reynolds

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Boatsheds, Auckland. Much like its nautical counterparts, the home features a simple yet refined material palette.

Boatsheds, Auckland. Much like its nautical counterparts, the home features a simple yet refined material palette. Image: Patrick Reynolds

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Waiheke House by Archoffice. Architect John Ingham created an internal courtyard by ‘removing’ part of the structure. The house revels in its island location.

Waiheke House by Archoffice. Architect John Ingham created an internal courtyard by ‘removing’ part of the structure. The house revels in its island location. Image: Simon Devitt

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Waiheke House. Expansive glazing on the western façade opens the house to the view and facilitates solar gain.

Waiheke House. Expansive glazing on the western façade opens the house to the view and facilitates solar gain. Image: Simon Devitt

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Waiheke House. Internally, the lines and colour palette have been restrained to create a crisp, clean living environment.

Waiheke House. Internally, the lines and colour palette have been restrained to create a crisp, clean living environment. Image: Simon Devitt

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Hau Nui House, Wellington, Tennent + Brown. Designed to mitigate the buffering effects of the wind while maximising views and solar gain, the house is a simplifed single form.

Hau Nui House, Wellington, Tennent + Brown. Designed to mitigate the buffering effects of the wind while maximising views and solar gain, the house is a simplifed single form. Image: Paul McCredie

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Hau Nui House, Wellington. When the homeowner isn’t entertaining, a pivoting wall provides a division between the dining and living areas.

Hau Nui House, Wellington. When the homeowner isn’t entertaining, a pivoting wall provides a division between the dining and living areas. Image: Paul McCredie

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Hau Nui House, Wellington. This wall can be moved back to create a sizeable open-plan space for large gatherings.

Hau Nui House, Wellington. This wall can be moved back to create a sizeable open-plan space for large gatherings. Image: Paul McCredie

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As spring brings new beginnings, fresh starts and a sense of excitement for the future, it’s also sometimes good to look back and reflect on what made splashes and caught people’s eye in 2014. ArchitectureNow undertook some research into what was most popular from January to December 2014, and has put together the top five most-viewed houses of last year, in case you missed them at the time.

The high calibre of house and renovation design has only continued to grow in 2015, and the future of residential architecture across New Zealand is bright. But for now, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the best homes of 2014 as seen from ArchitectureNow readers’ perspective.

See the slideshow above for images of all five homes.

1. Mission Bay House, Auckland by DAA. There is something faintly Middle Eastern about this home, which incorporates many flexible spaces for the diverse needs of the owners.

2. Kohimarama renovation, Auckland by Graeme Cunningham. The renovation design for this house allows family life to spill outdoors, reflecting the relaxed, yet active, vibe of the area.

3. Boatsheds House, Auckland by Strachan Group Architects. This innovative home built for nautical lovers is up for a Housing Award in the upcoming NZIA New Zealand Architecture Awards.

4. Waiheke House, Waiheke Island by Archoffice. Built purposefully as a retreat from city life, this home has a sense of nuturing, for both the occupants and the site it nestles into.

5. Hau Nui House, Wellington by Tennent+Brown. A simple but elegant rural shed; however planning, space, light and context are still all carefully considered in this highly liveable family home.


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