Thorne Bay House By Bossley Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

An exterior photograph of the front facade of Thorne Bay House, featuring the stone wall that covers the lower portion of the house, and showcasing the blend of surrounding trees.

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Architect: Bossley Architects
Facebook: Bossley Architects
LinkedIn: Bossley Architects

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

A scenic photograph taken from the shoreline, showcasing Thorne Bay House from a distance as the sun sets.
A scenic photograph taken from the shoreline, showcasing Thorne Bay House from a distance as the sun sets.
A low angle photograph of the outdoor landscape in front of Thorne Bay House.
A low angle photograph of the outdoor landscape in front of Thorne Bay House.
A close-up photograph of the exterior house designs, showcasing the cladding with an outer rain screen of open-jointed cedar boards, and the library that resembles a treehouse.
A close-up photograph of the exterior house designs, showcasing the cladding with an outer rain screen of open-jointed cedar boards, and the library that resembles a treehouse.
A close-up photograph of the library that resembles a treehouse, propped on asymmetrical steel columns, with bases carefully located to avoid tree roots.
A close-up photograph of the library that resembles a treehouse, propped on asymmetrical steel columns, with bases carefully located to avoid tree roots.
A focus shot of the exterior cladding design, featuring an outer rain screen of cedar boards that protects the weatherskin and reduces solar gain through the walls.
A focus shot of the exterior cladding design, featuring an outer rain screen of cedar boards that protects the weatherskin and reduces solar gain through the walls.
An exterior shot of the glass-enclosed stairway connecting the tree house to the main residence.
An exterior shot of the glass-enclosed stairway connecting the tree house to the main residence.
An exterior shot from a low angle showcasing the tree house-like room, highlighting the prominent tree trunk and branches in the foreground.
An exterior shot from a low angle showcasing the tree house-like room, highlighting the prominent tree trunk and branches in the foreground.
An interior shot of a room with sliding glass windows that showcase a panoramic view of the shoreline with much solid volcanic rock outside the house.
An interior shot of a room with sliding glass windows that showcase a panoramic view of the shoreline with much solid volcanic rock outside the house.
A high-angle interior shot of a tree house showcasing its relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.
A high-angle interior shot of a tree house showcasing its relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.
A close-up view of the passageway from the tree house leading to the main house.
A close-up view of the passageway from the tree house leading to the main house.

A compact house designed for a beautiful but small and near-impossible site! Five well established pohutukawa inhabit the site, with intertwined limbs spread across the seaward half of the available building zone. A tight access lane drops from Minnehaha Ave at a very steep 1:3 slope. Much of the site is solid volcanic rock.

The desire not to damage the trees or their extensive root systems, combined with the steep slope and limited turning circle for cars, rock outcrops, and the restrictive planning controls resulted in an innovative building which and is squeezed under, around and between the limbs of the trees, and still manages to take full advantage of the site, the sun and the views.

The character of the house changes as it rises from the ground towards the sky. The ground floor level comprises orthogonal spaces, which follow the slope in a series of steps down towards the sea, providing sea views from each level. Upstairs, the rooms become more angular and free flowing, to reflect the contortions of the pohutukawa limbs.

The upper level rooms open onto an extensive rooftop terrace which weaves between the tree branches. The Library is projected out towards the sea like a tree house amongst the pohutukawas, propped on asymmetrical steel columns whose bases are carefully located to avoid tree roots. Much of the ground floor slab is suspended on a limited number of foundations also located to avoid tree roots. An irrigation system under the slab provides the equivalent water to the roots as if the house had not been built.

The cladding is a carefully detailed system, with an outer rainscreen of open-jointed 130 x 20mm cedar boards. These provide the visual cladding, protect the weatherskin, and offer a ventilated cavity which reduces the solar gain into the building through the walls.

Awards

  • Master Builders Auckland Region Gold Award 2009
  • NZ Wood Timber Design Awards 2009 Residential Architectural Excellence – Highly Commended

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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