Tuesday 8 December 2015

The Green House, by Claude Megson, 1978

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Any architect can make a fair fist of impressing with a rich and expensive palate. What architect Claude Megson was very good at was using fairly standard inexpensive materials to create spaces of almost inexpressible delight—the sort that’s sometimes hard to capture through a lens, but that you can feel as soon an you enter his spaces, and delight in even more as you live in them over many years and discover all their many intricacies: the way spaces flow into each other; the links created to the grounds and wider landscape; the vistas through, within (and without) the house …

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On the market now, after many years, is the spatial wonderland he crafted forty years ago for the Phillips family of Glenfield: the ‘green house,’ as it was dubbed, for its colour (which now appears the very least of the colours used!).

Inserted into lush bush at the end of a cul-de-sac, this project employs a number of characteristic Megson elements. The base of the house is formed from concrete blocks,with interiors on six-half levels cascading down under an inclined glass roof. Enclosing this is a highly complex composition of “periscope” forms – arranged both vertically and horizontally - that recall the Rees Townhouses, but which are painted a lush green – hence the project being referred to as the “Green House”. Projecting out into the bush on the downhill side of the house is balcony composed as a cantilevered cage of steel pipe, a motif that would reappear in Megson’s own house.

The real estate site says:

Architecturally fabulous and with all the elements of a truly special home, this unique property was designed by the renowned architect Claude Megson and built to admire the nature of the magical Scenic Reserve setting.
   
Our current owners bought this jewel in April 2000 recognising the beauty of the design, the exquisite location among native trees and the convenience of being at just 10 min drive [ahem – Ed.] to Auckland CBD.
   
This fabulous property is set on a 1113m² (approx) section and features 3 bedrooms and 3 living areas on six-half levels cascading down under an inclined glass roof that spills light into and throughout the home.
   
The attention to detail creates a home with a blend of quiet intimate rooms to dramatic areas under the vaulted ceiling, very different from what we are all used to see in the Market.
   
To absorb the resulting arrangement of spaces, with a gentle division of activities suggested for each of these areas, the first time spectator must spend time roaming the home, revisiting rooms, to understand the feeling and the flavour of each area.
   
The home is centred around the outdoor and indoor living areas, that inspires to entertain, to invite people to lounge on the open space; long lazy Sunday lunches or formal occasions would all be enhanced by this serene and very private environment.
   
There are areas for reading, to retreat to, to reflect, to gather with friends and discuss matters of great importance, or to simply absorb the peace of the view of the beautiful Kelmar Scenic Reserve.
   
Walking down the driveway and looking back to the home, you cannot help feeling inspired with Claude's creation; the current owners have lovingly looked after this home over the years but it is time to hand the mantle onto another owner who will thrive in this exceptional home.

The house has Open Homes this Saturday and Sunday.

Architect Claude Megson in his “green house” soon after completion.

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Cross-posted to the Claude Megson Blog.

7 comments:

Mark Hubbard said...

Appealing house. As you say, it's almost impossible to capture a house, particularly interiors, with a camera. Would've been at the open to have a look if I lived up there.

Mark Hubbard said...

... would've been at the open 'day' ...

paul scott said...

Well I think the camera has done very well. It is difficult to get the light correct so you appreciate medium and dark green foliage outside as well as the yellow dominant light inside.[ floor timber and possibly electric lights ] It usually needs photoshop shadow resolution, and contracting the contrast. I think they could get rid of those garish blue seats and cushions though . It looks a little fussy for me. But I have a red neck.

paul scott said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Richard McGrath said...

Nice design. I agree the real challenge for modern architects and builders is to design houses affordable for the masses, i.e. that cost < $100k to build. Peter, what are your thoughts on the 'tiny home' movement? To me, it seems a free market response to unaffordable house prices.

Peter Cresswell said...

I think the fussiness is mostly from the present owner's furnishings....

Peter Cresswell said...

Without freeing up housing supply (both land and the supply chain) houses costing <$100k to build have long gone, I'm afraid.

The Tiny House movement is partly an encouraging a free market response to the unaffordable house prices created by the artificial restrictions on land and housing supply, and partly an anti-modern rejection of the values of the marketplace. It's necessary, and often ingenious, but not entirely admirable. Better IMHO to remove restrictions ...