Cape to Bluff Vol. 2
Project: Architecture book, self published
Writer: Andrea Stevens
Photographer: Simon Devitt
Graphic designer: Luke Scott, Sarah Gladwell
Cape to Bluff Vol.2 traverses Aotearoa New Zealand from north to south, composing a unique portrait of residential architecture across the islands. A sense of place lies at the core of the curatorial vision, featuring 30 exceptional homes that respond to and are in harmony with the land – its forms, its climate, its people. Landscapes range from alpine to coast, rural to city, with architects and designers responding in both poetic and pragmatic ways. This carefully crafted book provides an exclusive window into some of the most interesting, ideas-driven projects of recent years.
BOOK REVIEWS
"This book treats each house as a work of art and a work of craft, acknowledging the choice of materials, the problems and resolution of the design, the environment, the owner's wishes and the vision. The scale of the photos and the generous use of white space are all necessary parts in displaying the houses appropriately. A tribute to the professions in designing and building, and a remarkable feat of book construction and publishing."
— David Hill, RNZ Nine to Noon
“...a wonderful, wonderful book… This is cultural documentation of the very best that I’ve ever seen from the two of you. Simon, your photography has such a distinct style. And then Andrea, your writing really helps bring this to life… It’s definitely a journey around New Zealand when you go through it… all of the homes are incredible… the beauty is brought into reach by the two of you… It is an absolutely beautiful book… it really captures our country so, so well. Simon, you’re a remarkable talent, an incredible photographer. I can assure you that people who view the work can see what you’ve put into it.”
— Paddy Gower, RNZ Saturday Morning
“I spent an hour longer than I intended in my car last Saturday morning, captivated by a Radio New Zealand interview with Andrea Stevens who, along with photographer Simon Devitt, were discussing their latest publication Cape to Bluff Vol. 2 with Paddy Gower. This is the second residential architecture photo book produced by this talented duo. Andrea provided such a poetic and poignantly deliberate narrative, along with a compelling reminder of the value of architects where she referenced relevant examples of Dan Sullivan’s colourful (and affordable) houses in Rolleston, alongside RTA Studio’s Living House in Rotorua. Thanks, Andrea, for the ongoing value and significance of your work.”
— Mark Abbot, Chief Executive, Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects
To help us get there, we thank our architect partners and our book sponsors:
Gold sponsor – VidaSpace
Silver sponsors – Resene, Viblock, PeterFell
Bronze sponsors – Warren Trust, RK Timbers, Blum, Italian Stone, Canterbury Clay Bricks
Dune House sponsors: Mangawhai Design, Smith Construction
Seven Colourful Little Houses sponsors: Colorcote, Dulux
Architects featured:
Bossley Architects, HB Architecture, Oto Group, Noel Lane Architects, Studio2 Architects, Novak+Middleton, Richard Archbold, Daniel Marshall Architects, Architectus, Crosson Architects, Matter Architects, Chris Tate Architecture, Julian Guthrie Architects, Evelyn McNamara Architecture, DCA Architects of Transformation, RTA Studio, KR Architecture, Rowe Baetens Architecture, Studio Pacific Architecture, Makers of Architecture, William Samuels Architects, Parsonson Architects, PRau, COMMON, Athfield Architects, Dalman Architects, Rafe Maclean Architects, Roberts Gray Architects, Mason & Wales, Anna-Marie Chin Architects.
Excerpt:
Starting with an oversized corrugated metal profile, the exterior is then layered with softer domestic details. The main roof forms a lid or tent-like structure, below which are sliding timber screens, cedar cladding and large glazed openings. The walls are framed by timber verticals reminiscent of traditional shed construction. Inside, the roof is carved out to create volume inside.
Openings capture views near and far, immersing the buildings with their surroundings and framing the wider mountain landscape. The roof extends beyond the wall line to form sheltered verandas, with paddocks running right up to the terrace.
‘The really important idea in this house is that it captures those south-facing views while buttressing itself from the cold lake winds. Then it had to open to bring in the northern sun and maintain a very simple and direct connection with the land,’ says architect Anna-Marie Chin.
