Moody light and shady verandahs on Great Barrier Island

There can never be enough timber in a house, as this home amply demonstrates. Known as “Timms Bach” and located on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand, this warm and earthy retreat has been created by Herbst Architects and won the NZ Institute of Architects Architecture award for 2011. The Awards judges summed the house up well: “Layered and veiled screens of timber and glass are organized into a simple orthogonal plan to create a retreat featuring moody light, shady verandahs and a relaxing outdoor room. A warm and rich palette is a delightful surprise after the bleached and natural exterior, where timber and stone combine to create a seemingly quintessential bach.”