S House is a project of Glamuzina Paterson Architects located on the south side of Prospect Terrace in Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. Faced with a sloping narrow rectangular site of 72 meters in length and just 15 meters in width, the architects were challenged to come up with an innovative design which would take advantage of the available space.

The result is this angular S shaped house of 273 sq.m., which is set back 10 meters from the street and follows the topography of the site as it meanders down the slope, creating various levels. The contemporary design reflects the values of ‘ordinary things contain the deepest mystery.’ The exterior is composed of stained cedar claddings, glass walls which offer a different view from every room and a corrugated tin roof. The interior is equally simple with a basic color palette of black and white, glossy surfaces and a dark polished concrete floor.

A definitive aspect of this design is the landscaping which begins from the street where the planted Ribbonwood and Kowhai trees will grow to forest like dimensions and provide privacy for this family of 5. The remaining land around the house is divided into two contrasting gardens, on the east side, native plants are featured whereas on the west is a tropical garden, both of which meet at the children’s play area. The project is completed by the rectangular pool and a 1920s structure at the rear of the land which has been restored to create a studio.