Shoal Bay bach: rugged and unpretentious rural architecture

The owners of this small weekender in Shoal Bay New Zealand wanted a getaway that was rugged, rural in character and felt unpretentious. It was important to be able to cater for large numbers of family and friends and also feel comfortable with one or two people. Family friend Gerald Parsonson of Parsonson Architects created this beautiful cedar clad bach in the form of two offset pavilions.

Architects Statement:

“Shoal Bay is a remote settlement on the rugged east coast of southern Hawkes Bay. The building is designed to be part of the rural setting, raised off the ground and sitting beside the original woolshed, which has served the bay since the early 1900’s. The bach is rugged yet welcoming and offers unpretentious shelter, it is the type of place where you kick off your shoes and don’t need to worry about walking sand through the house.
The bach is formed of two slightly off-set pavilions, one housing the bedrooms and the other the main living space. Decks are located at each end of the living pavilion allowing the sun to be followed throughout the day. Sliding screens at the north-west end provide adjustable shelter for the different wind conditions, offer privacy from neighbouring campers and act as walls for outside sleeping.”

Sustainable features: well insulated; interior spaces are arranged for passive solar gain with shading in summer using sliding shutters at the north west end, which double as shelter from the prevailing northwest winds; solar panels sit between the two pavilions providing hot water.

[Photography by Paul McCredie]