Nestled on a natural slope among the houses in a residential area of Auckland, New Zealand, is the single-family home designed by Oli Booth Architecture. The project is intended to serve as an example for urban dwellings that usually have no relationship with the outdoors, reflecting on how to establish a symbiosis with the environment around us.

Lightly Weighted is proposed as a cosy refuge that merges with nature: its 85 square metres give priority to light, demonstrating how a small dwelling can still focus on quality and the well-being of its inhabitants. Distributed on two levels and positioned on a sloping plot, the dwelling is distinguished by the concrete walls to the east and west that protect the house, but also by the numerous, large windows that make the project a real jewel of light with a view of greenery.

Despite its rugged appearance, the house is cosy and pleasant inside due to the use of warm tones of Totara wood – native to the area – and dark floors and ceilings, perfect for absorbing light. The first floor, which houses the kitchen and living room, has a 4.2 metre skylight in the ceiling, designed to let in the sun’s rays. 

The building occupies only 42 square metres of land and also uses a combination of efficient and economical materials, such as OSB. To enhance the space, the corner of the house opens up to form a covered but exposed seating area in the summer months, while the courtyard becomes an extension of the home.