Projects

A striking new home on an olive orchard in the Bay of Islands. The owners were inspired by imagery of modern renditions of barn-like forms, particularly from some Australian examples.  Exacting attention to detail, including a roof set out that repeats to millimetre perfect symmetry pays dividends in realising the dream.

This single level home for a young family, we designed with a layout that captures all day sun while providing shelter from the prevailing westerly wind. The home is positioned well back from the road and toward the south end of the site to enjoy an outlook over the generous sized site. A light filled gallery space links the bedrooms to the main living area, maximising sun penetration into the structure while keeping the kids bedrooms in the shaded, cooler south side to help with early bedtimes in the hot summer months!

The owners of this property wished for a modern family home that takes cue from simple rural farm buildings of yester-year, like a sprawling low slung woodshed that is congruous with the New Zealand rural landscape. Tucked beneath a ridge line high above the Managwhai coastline, this site has a commanding view over the valley below, with a bonus stand of mature Totara trees to one side. The structure flows along with the lie of the land, with stepping timber floors draped by a roof plane that follows the landscape.

A young couple starting out, came calling to realise the dream of building their first home in a new subdivision in Lake Hawea. The brief included a tight budget, owner-builder, and a desire to do something slightly different to group homes in the area. A corner site offered further challenges all of which were met with a floor plan that really works and a form that is instantly recognisable in this sub-alpine environment.

The owners of an original 1940’s fibrolite bach in Whangamata sought to re-build and secure future holiday opportunities for themselves and extended family. Typical of kiwi baches, the whole extended family turns up at Christmas and a place to crash for the night is in hot demand. As such the call was for a bach that can comfortably sleep 14 people at these times, yet still be a quintessential kiwi bach – not some monstrous second home with all the trappings.

The site of this new home is in a stunning location overlooking Kerikeri Inlet. The views of which are enjoyed from every room in the house. The owners included in their brief a wish for a home that evokes kiwi traditions in a modern form. An expansive asymetric roof drapes tent-like over a timber structure, with vaulted ceilings and full height glazing that brings the sky inside. The lightness of timber and glass floats on top of a substantial basalt natural stone base, which from the street appears fortress-like, creating a sense of mystery to passers-by.