2024 Wellington Architecture Awards Winner
Riversdale Beach House
Back in the 50s, Basil Bodle had a vision for the Riversdale Station to become the Côte d’Azur of south Wairarapa. With its distinctive colours and stylish lines, Riversdale Beach House fits Basil’s aspirations. The roof overhang and angled side walls are inspired by Derek Wilson’s 1956 Maunsell beach house – Parsonson’s contemporary take links to those modern times and speaks to the New Zealand vernacular. The multipurpose under-croft form of the ground floor provides spacious storage, a protected entry to guest accommodation and a covered parking. Cheerfully coloured screens provide extra security to close off these spaces when not in use. The sliding screens give an elegant skirt to the L-shaped house above. The upper-level arrival provides carefully framed coastal views and the main living space soaks up all-day sun. The sheltered courtyard is a welcome respite from the wind. Inside, timber-framed panelling provides modulation and a sense of rhythm to the expansive sloping ceiling.
- Practice
- Parsonson Architects
- Category
- Housing
- Location
- Wellington
