Join HOME Magazine for an exclusive journey through some of Auckland’s most compelling residential architecture. The tour begins with a rare, behind-the-scenes visit to Echelon, the personal apartment of acclaimed architect Ken Crosson in Ponsonby. From there, attendees will travel to the meticulously crafted Angle Grinder by Frazerhurst Architects in St Heliers, A Diaphanous Design by Lloyd Hartley Architects in Auckland’s CBD, and 339 – the home of Strachan Group Architect’s Director Dave Straachan in Mt Eden.

These curated homes exemplify the synergy between site and structure. This intimate day of discovery concludes back in Ponsonby with drinks and canapés, offering a unique opportunity to discuss design innovation and the evolution of the modern Auckland home. Transport provided.

Attendees will start at Echelon then split into three groups to visit the other properties before returning to Ponsonby for drinks and nibbles at Jacuzzi.

Echelon

by Crosson Architects.

A landmark development designed and built by architect Ken Crosson. Crowning the Ponsonby ridge, the building features a world-class penthouse that serves as his home, showcasing his signature precision and “architectural humanist” style. Defined by dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing, the residence offers a 360-degree panorama of the harbour and city skyline. The interior is anchored by a sculptural black-iron staircase and reflects Crosson’s commitment to raw, honest materials and modern medium-density living.

Angle Grinder

by Frazerhurst Architects

This sculptural, four-storey home in Saint Heliers, Auckland, designed by architect Mark Frazerhurst for his parents on a steep, overgrown site was inspired by a twisting form seen on Waiheke. The black-clad and cedar-detailed house was developed over a decade and carefully stacked to work with the terrain, connecting living spaces, bedrooms, and work areas through smart spatial planning.

A Diaphanous Design 

by Lloyd Hartley Architects

A Diaphanous Design is a comprehensive refurbishment of a 100m² apartment in Auckland’s CBD – transformed by stripping back and revealing the building’s original structure, enhancing its industrial character while creating a soft, textured, light-filled home. The design explores transparency, privacy, texture and modularity, thoughtfully integrating steel beams, bespoke and modular cabinetry, and exposed conduit so that, despite the use of robust materials, the apartment feels light, adaptable and cohesive.

339

by SGA

An award-winning home designed by architect-owner David Strachan, in Mount Eden, designed for a narrow site with close neighbours and a busy road. The home centres on a covered entry courtyard that leads into open kitchen and dining spaces, with double-height living areas beneath a gabled roof. Sustainability is integral to the design, incorporating solar panels, water tanks, high insulation and passive cooling strategies.

Image credit: Simon Devitt