80 | Bringing projects to life Redbox Architects blends aesthetics and practicality within its designs. T T Virginia Wright European flair meets sustainable design Redbox Architects T T Rosa Watson “Our design was basically to create a journey from the very busy road to the calm of the estuary, where the sunrise and the play of the colours on the water is magical.” ARCHITECTURE With an impressive portfolio showcasing its wide range of expertise, Redbox Architects blends aesthetics and practicality within its designs, whether the project is residential, commercial, education or mixed-use. The Nelson-based practice, with a team of registered architects, is a tight-knit and passionate team, offering a full range of architectural services for a wide array of projects. From the initial sketch design through to construction and final inspection, the team guides clients through the entire process. The workload is varied and relatively evenly split across residential, commercial and education projects, says director Nick Burn. “We love the variety, and it keeps every workday different. From a small kitchen cabinet to an industrial concrete wall, we thrive on the details.” The practice was founded as Carver Architects by Richard Carver in 1999, and later became Redbox when current director Justin Fletcher joined Richard. When Richard left the practice, Nick, along with Brad Beazley, became directors in 2022, bringing their vast experience to lead the practice into the future. “We have a team of skilled architects and technicians, who play a pivotal role in bringing our projects to life,” Nick says. Since setting up M C Architecture in 2009, Christchurch Architect Max (Massimiliano) Capocaccia has been involved in a wide range of projects from Auckland to Queenstown, including renovations, various restaurant and café designs, commercial and public spaces, and several high-end residential homes. Max qualified as an architect in Italy, went on to do his master’s degree, which included a proposal around social housing in India, then ran his own architectural practice before coming to New Zealand in 2007 and working for Athfield Architects prior to establishing his own practice. Much of his work focuses on innovative, site-specific designs that blend European aesthetics with New Zealand’s landscapes, and reflect his commitment to sustainability, high-performance building envelopes, and bold geometric forms. The recently complete ‘Sixth Degree’ project in Redcliffs is no exception. Built for Christchurch couple Paul and Melissa, the single-storey coastal retreat was a collaborative design effort between him and Caleb Skene, explains Max. “He was an architectural graduate at MC Architecture at the time, and his design sensibilities and emerging expertise shaped the project from the outset.” Also known as the Estuary View build, it is on one of a row of narrow sections on the Sumner side of Redcliffs, bordered and accessed by Main Road on one side, and dropping straight into the Heathcote-Avon Estuary on the other. “It was a difficult, challenging site in the flood-management zone. The flooding maps anticipate that the area could flood up to a height of one metre or more in the next 50 years, so the whole structure had to be elevated out of the possible flood zone,” Max explains. Resilience is embedded within the architecture of the house. Rather than stilts, the timber-framed structure rests on piles anchored to a concrete raft, which allows water to pass beneath when required. The 200sqm build includes a two-car garage on the street side, separate from the house, with a 20sqm studio above. The design succeeds in integrating the house, including its access, with the surrounding landscape, combining privacy with openness, and maintaining a deep connection to its coastal surroundings thanks in part to its deck cantilevered over the water. “Our design was basically to create a journey from the very busy road to the calm of the estuary, where the sunrise and the play of the colours on the water is magical,” Max says. Between the dominating, protective form of the two-storey garage on the road side, and the more intimate single-level dwelling with its framed views stretching across the estuary to the horizon, the carefully designed path takes you to where a series of concrete then timber steps lead up to the house. Their fragmented form is designed to create an organic feel, which is amplified by the surrounding greenery. The landscape on the way to the house feels like part of the architecture, thanks to their client, Melissa’s, skills, Max explains. The size of the firm has many benefits, he adds. “(It is) large enough to take on projects of a reasonable scale, but small enough to remain nimble and prioritise urgent work. “This flexibility and willingness to adapt have served our clients well. We listen closely to our clients’ requirements, and provide tailored solutions to meet their brief in terms of aesthetics and budget.” He says communication is key to achieving the best results for clients. “We keep our clients informed throughout the process, aiming to clearly explain each step (including costs and time frames) while also delivering creative and authentic design outcomes.” Two recent residential projects – both holiday homes in Kaiteriteri – have been shortlisted for the NZIA Nelson and Marlborough Architecture Awards. Oak and Stone is a two-level home nestled amongst the bush, and clad in sustainable Abodo NZ Pine weatherboards. Plum Location is a generational family bach on the hill overlooking the beach that is clad in local stone and durable Vulcan aluminium. These projects showcase how Redbox Architects tailors each project to a client’s brief, anchor it to its site, and create spaces where people love to live, Nick says. MC Architecture Studio Proud to support Redbox Architects www.geosolutions.nz Specialised geotechnical consultancy Their work in challenging environments reflects the kind of projects we specialise in — complex sites requiring practical, buildable geotechnical solutions. nelsonbuilders.nz Quality. Integrity. Craftsmanship. since 2018 Proud to work alongside Redbox
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