Lin House, designed by DMA is a fabrication of Kiwi laid back living paired with Asian inspired detailing and design. The concept of the four bedroom home considers its suburban context in Remuera, Auckland and is strategically positioned amongst surrounding neighbours. 

In response to the close knit suburban fabric, maintaining privacy of outdoor spaces became an imperative for the design. Therefore, a series of courtyard spaces have been created to facilitate private outdoor moments for the household to enjoy. The largest courtyard takes advantage of the North face and is located adjacent to the street.

Planting surrounds a pool and outdoor living space within the courtyard, creating a private oasis and separation from the street. Furthermore, an area of this courtyard is sheltered by the elements by the main bedroom on the second level that cantilevers overhead. Outdoor living flows openly into the main living area of the house, epitomising the casual “Kiwi” way of living.

The smaller ‘lineal’ courtyard was inspired by the entrance of the Nezu Museum, Tokyo, designed by renowned Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma. In consideration of Kuma’s work, this courtyard is designed as a space for solitude or intimate socialising. An ambient space is achieved with the addition of an ethanol fire, as well as bamboo planting along the Eastern boundary to screen the courtyard from neighbouring buildings.

Bamboo is also a repeated motif throughout the design of the house. A cast insitu concrete wall was shaped by bamboo formwork, resulting in a soft, textural quality impressed on the concrete. This motif pays homage to the landscape often seen in Asian architecture and is also displayed in the brass door handle, cast into a bamboo mould selected by the Architect.

Smooth cast insitu concrete forms shape the Western facade of the house. These forms are curved to maximise ease of vehicle access to the garage. Garaging, traditionally dominates the street front of the suburban context. However, in this case it is positioned at a half way point of the house. This divides the house into outdoor living at the Northern street side of the dwelling, as well as a mechanism to separate main living areas to ancillary rooms on the Southern wing of the house. These monolithic insitu and precast walls emanate a unique interior environment due to the astonishing density and texture of the exposed concrete. 

Lastly, the kitchen represents the fusion of Asian and Kiwi culture. The kitchen was designed to acknowledge traditional Asian cooking rituals, with a full chef’s cooking scullery elegantly hidden behind a more traditional styled Kiwi galley kitchen. The timber cabinetry is a textured oak veneer with a natural oil finish and responds sensitively to the rest of the house.