A Relationship of Contrasts – Light Box House by Crosson Architects

Located in the inner-Auckland neighbourhood of Herne bay, Light Box House has been the home of architect Ken Crosson for the past 35 years. When the time came to work on his own home, as is often the case when architects design for themselves, the project represented an opportunity to experiment with new ideas. Seeking to reinvigorate the original villa, which is architecturally very typical of its era and style, Ken conceived of the new addition as a deliberate disjunction from the existing home, with the result that each section sits as two contrasting halves of the whole.

Through the materiality of steel and glass, a contemporary monochromatic palette and clean, rectilinear forms, Lightbox House sits proudly as a new presence adjacent to its traditional predecessor.

The design does not only experiment with glazing in the form of the hinged glass wall, but through the use of sections of translucent glass in order to screen close neighbours. These translucent openings are highlighted by the rhythmic lines of louvres, which encourage cross ventilation. By contrasting the expanses of clear glass and translucent glazing, the design draws attention to the materiality of glass and mediates the connection between the interior and the garden – denying a straightforward visual connection at certain points serves to heighten the awareness of the direct connection created through the expanses of clear glazing. In this way, Light Box House creates a subtle play of contrasts, not only between old and new but within the contemporary addition too.

Appliances and kitchenware are hidden behind cabinetry to maintain a minimalist, streamlined aesthetic.