White-washed plywood for bach interior
With a full plywood interior, this Kaiteriteri family bach is robust, relaxed and easy to maintain.
Set between the mountains and the sea, the clients briefed in a small-scale bach sensitive to the beautiful natural environment of the Tasman region.
Redbox Architects has responded with a collection of three cabins clad in silvering timber weatherboards and plywood internally. A large central cabin contains the main living space, which links to two separate sleeping cabins via glazed walkways giving a village-like feeling.
‘We wanted a simple material palette,’ says architect Brad Beazley, ‘and as a holiday home, it needed to be easy and serviceable.
The weathered Abodo cladding and prefinished PlyPlay served both dimensions bringing a vernacular and timeless look.’
The floor is neutral concrete with a burnished finish. And like the silvered weatherboards, this subtly makes the house feel like it has been there for a long time. Brad chose the white-washed PlyPlay (Blonde Ambition) also for its light and neutral colour.
‘We wanted more character than plasterboard offered,’ says Brad, ‘but still keep it minimal and neutral. We originally planned to white-wash the plywood after it was installed but chose PlyPlay for its consistent finish and colour.
You can’t get that quality when painting in-situ. It also meant we had fewer trades on site, saving time.’
With PlyPlay on both the walls and ceilings, Brad applied it to other details for a consistent and seamless look with bunkbeds, shelves and interior doors all clad in plywood.
For contrast, he has used a black accent throughout – in the window joinery, door hardware and black-stained oak kitchen. Black looks striking against the white-washed ply, elevating all finishes.
