Situated in the heart of Auckland's most vibrant suburb, creating a space to entertain was the foremost requirement for this Ponsonby brief. With exterior space being in low supply, maximising every inch of the property was a priority.
Accommodated in little more than 100m² is a built-in seated area, heated plunge pool, contoured grass lounging area and a covered outdoor dinning room and kitchen.
Upon entering through the primary entrance, attention is immediately captured by the striking image of more than one hundred Echinopsis pachanoi cacti reflecting serenely across the pool. Inspired by a trip to the Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Gardens, it took little convincing the client that the concept would translate remarkably well on a small residential scale. The randomly alternating detail in the timber fence was inspired by the staggered heights of the competing cacti in the rear garden. Now serving as a secondary entrance when entertaining larger groups, the once dark and forgotten area along the side of the property has been transformed into a powerful visual journey to the rear garden beneath 40 year old, up-lit Dracaena Draco.