Project: Black Rock House
Architects: Sheppard & Rout Architects
Location: Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
Photographer: Jason Mann
NZIA Local Award – 2018
The Black Rock House by Sheppard & Rout Architects is a two-level family home carefully embedded into the hillside of a small peninsula between Charteris Bay and Diamond Harbour on Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Designed to merge with its dramatic setting, the house balances a solid stone base with light-filled living spaces and a distinctive floating roofline.
A Stone Base Anchored in the Landscape
At ground level, the bedrooms are housed within a stone-clad base that is sunken into the slope of the land. This design choice anchors the home firmly into its environment while creating a sense of privacy and shelter. The robust materials reflect the natural geology of Banks Peninsula, making the base feel like an organic extension of the hillside itself.
Light-Filled Living with Expansive Views
Above the base, extensive glazing opens the main living level to sweeping views of Charteris Bay and Diamond Harbour. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximize natural light and dissolve boundaries between indoors and outdoors. As a result, the family enjoys both dramatic panoramas and a constant connection with the surrounding landscape.
An Organic Roofline with Modern Detailing
Crowning the Black Rock House is an organic roof form that appears to float above the glass-wrapped living level. Its fascia, clad in GRC paneling, introduces a contemporary contrast to the stone below. This sculptural roofline softens the overall profile, allowing the home to blend harmoniously with the contours of the hillside.
Black Rock House as a Coastal Retreat
Ultimately, the Black Rock House combines strength, openness, and elegance in a design that responds directly to its environment. By grounding the bedrooms in stone, opening the living areas to the sea, and topping the structure with a fluid roof, Sheppard & Rout Architects created a home that feels both protective and liberating. The house stands as a refined coastal retreat where family life unfolds against the stunning backdrop of Banks Peninsula.
