Kiwi Bach Living: The Best Bach Designs
The quintessential Kiwi bach is an integral part of summertime throughout the country. Our extensive list of popular beach spots available up and down New Zealand make baches the perfect option for holiday time. There is something about the humble Kiwi bach that makes it so cosy and comfortable and it’s important that the person you request architectural services from is in tune with those key elements.
In this article, we get to the core of the special characteristics that make the best baches what they are.
Built to Experience
What primarily separates a bach from any other piece of architecture is its function. Baches are mainly in use when Kiwis just want to get away from their normal lives—to have a bit of fun, catch up with mates, and feel relaxed. They aren’t in action all year round so there is a lot of leeway to be creative in their design. As such, the best Kiwi bach designs take extra care to pay attention to purpose when designing floor plans.
This can be done by making sure communal areas are positioned in line with the direction of the best views, or ensuring the space has a balance of active and engaging areas, alongside uninterrupted peaceful spaces. This way, the whole family can get exactly what they want out of their holiday.
In Tune with The Elements
The New Zealand landscape is really a true wonder, and the best Kiwi baches always find ways to respond and communicate with their natural surroundings. At surface level, this can be through the use of earthy toned colours and materials inspired by the surrounding landscape. Think textured timbers and stone materials borrowed or inspired by the land around your property.
At a deeper level, many people choose to design their baches as passively as possible by using the natural resources to create an environment that’s harmonious and respectful. Including elements such as rainwater collection and composting systems can be the perfect way to design a space that communicates with the land. Plus, it’s extremely practical for a property that isn’t in use a lot of the year.
Community Centred
What’s a holiday home if you haven’t got anyone to share it with? When designing the ideal bach, it’s always a good idea to think about more than just yourself and your immediate family. Imagine summer dinner parties, adventures with friends, and big family gatherings. A bach should be your central and communal base to return to each year.
For this reason, it’s a great idea to incorporate plenty of sleeping options, and a kitchen where people can spend their time cooking meals at a leisurely pace. Think about how your guests will interact with the space during the morning, afternoon, evening and night—will they be able to spend time outdoors or snuggled up inside on colder days? The best baches have an understated response to every social situation.
Simple Spaces
Bach design, at its core, is all about necessity and minimalism. While it’s a place for you, your family and friends to spend time together, a bach shouldn’t feel like it has something to prove regardless of the amount of resources put into it. While it can be tempting to build upwards and outwards, the best baches are designed with simple yet comfortable spaces. Remember, many of the most beautiful baches around are humble, single-storey masterpieces.
How do you achieve this? Try to think about stripping your ideal holiday home down to the bare essentials. For example, instead of designing your floor plan with multiple guest rooms and ensuites, consider housing your guests in bunks, a sleepout, or even a camping space. Make space for an open and inviting communal area, but skip the lavish accessories and gadgets and opt for a more stripped-back interior to make room for people and experiences to fill it up the space instead.
Innovative Bach Design with Gubb Design
At Gubb Design, our team digs deep with every project we take on. As architects based in West Auckland, we understand the coastal lifestyle and relaxed atmosphere that a bach needs to offer. At the same time, we’re always looking to try innovative, new projects and explore new ideas with you. Get in touch with us to discuss your unique, quintessential bach design.
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