As an Architect I love playing with space and the transition between spaces.
If you have seen my post featuring the use of Abodo Wood Ltd to make a secrete door you will recognise it in the background of this image. The secrete door provides a very discreet transition from the "public" entrance to the "very private" master suite.
The entrance also transitions to the "semi-private" living space. I wanted this transition to be special and came up with what I called a "portal". The portal is lined on the floor, walls and ceiling with a large format tile. The corten coloured tiles are a link back to the entrance porch canopy which is in corten steel.
I've used a number of tricks to create this transition. While the timber entrance ceiling is low the portal tiled ceiling is even lower. I love the way the portal squeezes down before opening up to the cathedral ceiling of the open plan livings pace. Not only is the ceiling broken with different heights and material the floor is broken as well. The polished concrete floor which runs throughout the house is broken at the portal by a corten coloured tile.
The idea of this "portal" took some convincing for the clients but now it is fully realised they get it and feel proud they were brave enough to go along with the idea. They know that this sort of surprise and delight comes from working with an architect.
If you want to work with an architect who knows how to design space and transition between spaces come talk to me.
I am Graeme Jacobs a Christchurch based Architect designing high performance bespoke homes.
