Pair of Houses
Pair
noun
- two corresponding things designed for use together
The site formerly housed a single house perched in the middle of the land with beautiful views but compromised building fabric and outdated planning. The decision was made to demolish the house and build 2 small houses with another larger home to come later on the upper slopes of the site.
The small houses would form a pair, designed together to the lower terrace of the property with a walk down from the road. Inside they would provide a sanctuary from the city, surrounded by green space and ocean views, away from streets and busy edges.
The act of walking down the hill to the site allows the visitor to see the houses from the outside. They are compact, joined forms. They exist as a pair.
Upon entering the small exterior opens up to a surprising volume inside, where each house is unaware of the other. Instead of a pair joined together, they become private from each other, and each has expansive views as well as vertical connecting volumes that celebrate the double height space. Each has two double bedrooms with separate ensuite bathrooms and wardrobes, and each has 2 separate living spaces for occupants who want to co-exist with privacy.
