SASA Journal 001.

In 2008 when I wrote my master's thesis, my tutor continuously pushed me further and deeper inside myself to find out what burning question I desired to answer through my architecture. It took a year of soul searching, designing, redesigning, reviewing, discussing - to uncover the question: 

“How can architecture integrate with the rhythms of nature to create an acute awareness of the sense of self” 

From that moment on, the obsession took hold and to this day it still guides my architectural decision making.

In 2021, Haydon and I had the opportunity to build a home for our family on a bare rural site on the outskirts of Mangawhai. The natural setting guided key decisions that we made. Our home is enveloped in a monochrome palette of earthy scoria relating to farm sheds usually seen in this landscape. A 7-degree roof pitch follows the natural contour of the land. Every room is oriented to take advantage of the sun + wind for heating + cooling. 

Five years down the track, this house has sheltered us from some gnarly storms, and it has also invited us to reside within the landscape. When all the doors are open, the roof acts as an awning allowing us to carry out our daily life whilst enjoying the cooling breeze on a hot day, a feeling akin to sitting under the shade of a tree. 

I have devoted my life’s work to helping people come home to themselves through the design of spaces that are connected to the rhythms of nature. I am inviting you to come along on this journey with me, starting with these occasional journals sharing the ideas, projects and questions that light me up.