C J Architects
Suburban Timber Unit
Sector
Newbuild minor dwelling
Location
North Shore, Auckland
Established
2012
Architect
Carla Jacobi (project architect)
Builder
Golder Residential Limited
Conceived as a 'timber box' and work space. Future self contained unit. Built sustainably, from pine, oak and cedar. Structure is entirely from timber. Rain water collected and re used.
This project began with the desire to create a small, sustainable, residential unit in a suburban environment. Using timber as a material was an obvious choice, being a naturally renewable resource, cost effective, easy to assemble and aesthetically pleasing. Timber was to be used for as much of the project as feasibly possible. The design is simple in shape and structure. A small, modern ‘timber box’ was the concept.
The construction is entirely from timber, without the use of steel or concrete. Situated on a sloping site, timber pile foundations made economic sense, when compared with concrete slab construction. The floor, wall, beams & roof structures are all timber, with one large glue laminated radiata pine beam running the length of the building, supporting the ridge. Grooved pine plywood has been used for the raked ceiling diaphragm. Oak flooring and interior trims. Various profiles of Cedar cladding have been used on the exterior, as well as cedar plywood soffit linings, stained with ‘WoodX’ wood oil, making it a durable and sustainable building.
The building also uses rain water collection for use in the laundry, WC & garden.
The result is an attractive, simple and successful residential unit, entirely from timber. As well as being environmentally friendly, cost effective and easy to construct, it is naturally durable and aesthetically pleasing both inside and out.
