mangakuri bach

mangakuri bach

The original 60+ year old bach was a collection of timber and fibrolite sheds, cobbled together over the years from salvaged materials and the ubiquitous corrugated iron water tank.

Conscious choices were made to ensure the new bach was a low maintenance, durable building in the aggressive coastal environment.

The bach nestles within the shelter and shade of a variety of mature native and exotic trees, with views over the dune grasses to the beach and sea. The simple box form references the previous buildings it has replaced. The unstained timber has been purposefully allowed to weather to a similar hue to that of the driftwood that accumulates on the adjacent beach.

Gapped timber boarded shutters slide over the large sliding windows and provide sun shading and privacy to the interior and filter sea breezes for natural ventilation. When the bach is not occupied the shutters protect the interiors from damaging ultra violet light.

2012 Gisborne Hawke’s Bay Architecture Award