Beautiful Glass Front Beach House Harmonizes With Indigenous Pohutukawa Trees

Intertwined by centuries old native Pohutukawa trees, <a href="http://herbstarchitects.co.nz" target="_blank">Herbst Architects'</a> beautiful modern <a href="http://inhabitat.com/eco-luxe-spanish-farmhouse-lures-vacationers-with-mediterranean-views-and-on-site-farm/" target="_blank">beach home</a> is a design that meshes with its idyllic surroundings. Called the Pohutukawa Beach House and located on the picturesque coast of Auckland, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/new-zealand-opens-first-enclosed-uv-blocking-turf-stadium/" target="_blank">New Zealand</a>, the structure brings the glory of the landscape into its large living room via glass windows.

The pre-existing Pohutukawa <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cork-clad-treehouse-grows-roots-intermingles-with-the-branches/" target="_blank">trees </a>on the clients’ property posed a challenge for Herbst, but ended up becoming the inspiration for the design. Not wanting to clear the area or remove any trees, the architects chose to work around them. Their solution was to organize the living space into two realms: private and common.

The private areas became the bedrooms and garage. In order to not disrupt the trees, Herbst constructed two <a href="http://inhabitat.com/sydneys-1-bligh-skyscraper-is-australias-greenest-office-tower/" target="_blank">towers</a> to house these rooms, which resemble freshly sawn tree stumps.

The exterior of the towers were covered with pieces of wood of varying sizes, painted a dark brown- which gives a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/sole-arena-thermal-spa-taps-the-natural-healing-powers-of-salted-air/" target="_blank">bark-like effect</a>. Large corner-cut windows flood the bedrooms with light, but also reveal natural light colored timber on the interior to the outside, further pushing the freshly sawn tree design.

The main living space connects the private towers on either side. The living area is clad with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/stunning-singapore-home-wards-of-the-sweltering-heat-with-cool-water-ponds/" target="_blank">floor to ceiling glass curtain</a>. Inside, natural light floods in, as well as the view. The inhabitants can sit in their living room and feel as if they are <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-north-beach-residence-is-a-low-impact-green-roofed-summer-home-on-orcas-island/" target="_blank">amdist</a> the trees, as the main boughs are at eye level of the second floor living area.

Wooden porches wrap around the entire façade, and are capped off by a frayed edge roof which filters light into the residence with the same effect as being naturally filtered through the leaf canopy. The simple mid-century modern furnishings do not distract from the beauty of the exterior.

The Pohutukawa Beach House <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-czech-tea-house-is-naturally-lit-by-a-gilded-oculus/" target="_blank">harmonizes with the naturally beauty</a> of the indigenous trees, without compromising the integrity of the land.