Located on the edge of a steep volcanic crater cone in Auckland, this one-bedroom Angle Grinder House offers a unique opportunity. Despite the challenging terrain that might seem unsuitable for construction, we saw the potential for a remarkable project for my parents, who wanted to downsize and had acquired the vacant property. However, the original home requirements exceeded the modest construction budget, so we had to reconsider conventional notions and tailor the design to fit their needs, preferences, and unique aspects of living. We carefully scrutinized every aspect of the design and details, evaluated the cost, and reassessed them before finalizing the plan.
© Simon Devitt
Angle Grinder House’s Design Concept
The living area provides a vast, panoramic view that captures the distant side of the crater cone and the lush park views below. The house’s orientation and surrounding vegetation protect against onshore solid winds from both the North-East and North-West, originating from the Hauraki Gulf. The Angle Grinder House’s design draws inspiration from a sculpture that depicts a roll of corrugated iron winding down a hillside. The structure is textured black and folds gracefully, creating engaging spaces inside and outside the Angle Grinder House. This element is a roof and wall plane, connecting each level and descending the slope. © Simon Devitt
The Angle Grinder House’s folding structure is supported by sections covered in timber, which co...