Red Wins Gold

It sits there in the heart of Auckland’s Titirangi. A corrugated beating heart surrounded by native bush with the warbling sing-song of tui and kereru as the soundtrack. While you might think the seclusion of West Auckland’s native bush would mask the design mastery of Red House, it employs the opposite effect, so much so, it won a 2018 German Design Award – comparable to the design world’s Grammy awards.

Auckland-based architect Ken Crosson travelled to Frankfurt, Germany to accept the award.

“It’s a simple, red abstract cube,” Crosson says. “Vertical and horizontal corrugated iron cladding break up the scale of the building. Large skylights, translucent doors and wrapped glazing result in an open feeling, while a glass enclosure on the second level leads to a roof deck high within the tree canopy, boasting all-day sun and spectacular views.”

Compact design and cost-effectiveness act as the design philosophy; the use of corrugated iron and the alternating horizontal and vertical paneling echoing that ethos. The woody interior masterfully reflects the surrounding native trees in a beautifully rustic yet contemporary mesh.

While Crosson is no stranger to design awards, he does admit this one has a special quality to it: “it’s one of the most important accomplishments of my career and an absolute honour to receive the award in person.”