Best retirement housing design for Global Awards shortlisted
LOS ANGELES: The shortlist for the best retirement housing design has been declared.
Over 250 designs have been considered by the awards secretariat. One of the finalists in this category is shown above.
An award-winning architect-designed house in the bush in Auckland’s Titirangi won over strict council rules with its proposal for a Christmas tree-coloured house.
The bright red house, designed by well-known architect Ken Crosson, managed to by-pass the regulations for ‘natural’ colours required in the protected bush district in the Waitakere Ranges.
Owner Blair Harkness said he and his wife, artist Janis Marler, loved Crosson’s idea for the strong colour, but were worried it wouldn’t be approved.
“The colour rules in Titirangi are fairly limiting, but Ken pointed out the red is the Christmas tree colour, of pohutukawa, so is a natural colour and the council approved.
The Global Award winner will be announced in April in London. (Globals)
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- The main red house with its accompanying black house that is wheel-chair accessible, sits in a flat sunny part of the section.
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- An art studio on the ground floor has its own access for work from home arrangements or for use as a third bedroom.
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- The open-plan living room includes a double-height glass-walled study nook.
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- Skylights flood the space with light. The rimu timber for the kitchen cabinets was recycled from old cupboards.
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- The roof deck is accessed by a glass-enclosed stairwell the family have dubbed “the sky tower”.
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- The second black house includes a wheel-chair accessible kitchen, bedroom and bathroom and lift access to an upstairs bedroom and bathroom.
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- The houses are joined by an open-air walkway.
