Alaska House Oriented in Two Directions

The Northland House is designed by Parsonson Architects to sit high

enough to overlook Wellington Harbour, New Zeeland. It’s oriented in two

directions, east to the harbour and hills beyond and west to the afternoon sun.

From the road the house peers austerely over the protective courtyard wall,

while the inside spaces feel very open and connected to the outside.

Patterns of surface materials are loosely influenced by the tapestry

of land viewed from the sky. Flooring and decking change in material

and texture as they run level from the west courtyard, through the living room

and out to the west deck.

The wings of the plan focus the views either east or west and close

off the house to the neighbors to the north and south.

Parsonson Architects