31/10/2023
Our project in Waiotaiki Bay, which was the subject of a case study at the recent ADNZ conference held in Wellington.
WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
(Back exterior view, photo credit Johan Koch)
What do you get when you combine innovative and courageous Kiwi design with the rich traditions of an ancient civilization? Tāhuna House, a jaw dropping concrete residence that’s just won the ADNZ Regional Award for New Home over 300m².
Nestled above a nature reserve in Auckland’s Wai-O-Taiki Bay, and with unimpeded views across the Tāmaki estuary, Tāhuna is the creative genius of Eman Yousef. An architectural graduate at structural engineering and architectural design consultancy ProConsult, Eman drew on her Egyptian heritage and love of nature to create the award-winning home.
Described by judges as “a very courageous, staunch response to the site, daring to open out in one direction while completely closing off from another”, Tāhuna House celebrates its spectacular view while also providing maximum privacy.
“In Egypt it’s all about privacy,” explains Eman, who moved to New Zealand with her husband and two children seven years ago. “Most people live in modern apartment buildings with minimal openings - just enough to allow air movement, some light, and lots of privacy. With the Tāhuna project, the view is very much the star of the show, and the home is designed to open up to it from every angle. However, on one side there are lots of neighbours, so I decided to expand solidity with precast concrete panels on that side and create a really private street face.”
