A DRAMATIC EDGE

WITH A 30-DEGREE SLOPING SITE, THE CHALLENGE WAS SET FOR YOUNG ARCHITECTS AND HOOGERVORST BUILDERS TO CREATE AND BUILD A HOME THAT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE DRAMATIC.

Uninterrupted Views

To create a stunning frameless look, the panels of this home’s Altherm Metro Series floor-to-ceiling windows are butted together without any joins. Instead, they’ve been strengthened with structural glass fins, providing uninterrupted views across the city to the Southern Alps.

Design Windows designwindows.co.nz

SLEEK AND LIGHT

The joinery in the sleek white kitchen was expertly fitted by Lyall Park Joinery who also provided joinery throughout the home.

The first thing to strike you about this home is that it’s built on an incredibly steep site. It’s almost hard to imagine where to start to build a home with such a steep angle. Vehicle access, deep foundations and retaining walls all take on a different level of skill required when working on such slopes.

But of course, the reward of building such a home is the prize of dramatic views and the sense of space that comes with living on a hill.

The brief for Young Architects was very simple: to build a large family home that maximises the views and has minimal maintenance, using cost-effective building materials. But as they say, the devil is in the detail, and beyond this straightforward brief lies a sophisticated design and construction methodology that allows all the pieces of this 425 square metre jigsaw to fall into place perfectly.

“Initially, the client came to us with a collection of rooms they wanted and a picture of a concrete house they liked,” says Greg Young, Director at Young Architects. “The site is very steep, with a spectacular view, so that set up the parameters for how the rooms were to be positioned. Once we’d presented the initial conceptual design, there was just minor tweaking, testing how the rooms would be used.”

There are three primary materials used in this home: concrete, timber and glass. All three are used in different ways.

“Concrete was a necessity on the very steep, geotechnically challenging site, so we chose to embrace it,” explains Greg. “We used Firth low carbon concrete to retain the hillside, while also providing the finished wall internally. This is strong and efficient.”

The concrete structure is both insulated and exposed. With the building integrated into the hillside, the temperature is moderated (like a cave) while also capturing the heat from the sun within its thermal mass. As well as being very strong in an environment that is exposed to both winds and earthquakes, the concrete also requires little maintenance.

For the timber element, cedar was chosen, with different profiles used in different positions. Herman Pacific provided the timber, with a standard shiplap finish to the walls, and a variable width and depth timber to the ceiling for acoustics. Oak panelling has also been used as a backdrop, stained black. “The use of timber shuttering has achieved a raw beauty,” says Greg. “This was selected for its strong grain, and as it has been expressed onto the surface of the concrete, it gives an aesthetic that is raw and natural, like the environment it’s in.”

With a view that is arguably as good as any in the world, glass has been used extensively throughout the home. The glazing certainly gives an expansive feel to the property. It uses a combination of different frames and installation types. “Design Windows were used for the majority of aluminium joinery work, with a commercial glass fin style used in the main living spaces, and thermally broken residential frames in the bedrooms,” says Greg. “Steel framed glazing was used in the wine cellar.”

The living spaces focus on the view, with the main elevation being 100 per cent glazed. High-performance Low-E glazing is butt jointed with glass stiffeners and a concealed perimeter frame giving a view from the Pacific Ocean, along the Canterbury Bight, over the city and Canterbury Plains, to the Southern Alps.

While the walls may look dull and weathered, the concrete in the floor is full of depth and gloss, coloured and polished to give a counterpoint. The ceilings are predominantly oiled cedar, complimenting the texture of the concrete walls, and providing a much warmer aesthetic with its colour and softness.

Not all spaces are dominated by the views. A ‘withdrawing room’ has the ability to close the view, while others just have parts of the view framed. The outdoor living space also balances views and shelter, with a loggia extending into a look-out.

The challenge of carving out and constructing this home fell to Hoogervorst Builders, who tendered for the project and were delighted to win.

“There were a few challenges with a project like this, as we were working around an eight metre vertical cut hard against our site access,” says Nick Hoogervorst. “This led to temporary works being required to stabilise the lane edge.”

With the property spanning three levels, there were further complexities to placing this large amount of concrete in situ. “Having the right people and suppliers involved was essential,” says Nick. “It’s a pretty special location with a daring design. I gravitate towards and get excited about projects of this nature. It’s always a privilege to be involved.”

“The adversity of the build was mainly overcome by using the best contractors for the project, coordinating

Italian Style Tiles

From concept to completion, Designastyle helped these homeowners choose the perfect set of tiles for their home.

Flawless Functionality

Both kitchen and bathrooms in this home were designed by Ingrid Geldof Design, with ease of use and ease of living at the heart of this design.

Skylouvre System

Concertina SkyLouvres offer privacy and climate control at the touch of a button, thanks to Johnson and Couzins.

the programme carefully, and working very closely as a team. Having the architect and structural engineer involved was paramount to ensure challenges were closed out and details were achieved,” says Nick.

Once the building was out of the ground, the homeowners turned their attention to the interiors. From the floor up, the couple worked with Jane Swinard Design to create an interior that pushed the boundaries, flowed beautifully and represented the homeowners’ tastes.

“I’ve known the clients for many years and have worked on a number of projects with them,” says Jane Swinard.

The materials and finishes chosen reflected these tastes to perfection. “It was very much a team approach, as the homeowners had a strong sense of aesthetics, and they wanted to be involved in decisions every step of the way,” says Jane.

Interior Direction

The large artwork on the main living room wall by Australian artist John Olsen was used as a starting point for selecting colour accents. “The yellow swivel chair from David Shaw for example, was chosen for this purpose.”

The result is a sense of timelessness with this abode, while still having an ‘edge’.

Jane explains that it was exciting to be challenged by the interior concrete finishes, working them in with the softer elements of the home, such as the timber joinery, carpet, wallpaper and fabrics. “Many of the interior choices we made were organic in nature, balancing the shuttered concrete walls and polished concrete floor,” says Jane.

Ingrid Geldof Design was involved from the outset with the design of the kitchen, laundry, wine cellar, wardrobes and barbecue area. Ingrid quickly grasped the homeowners need for a light and understated kitchen and worked carefully with the space planning to ensure the views were maximised.

“The location and the view needed to take precedent with this home,” explains Ingrid. “We wanted to provide a practical kitchen without being overbearing.” Hence the sleek white kitchen, for example, has smooth handleless cupboards and the subtle small format textured tiles on the splashback work with the dark floors and promote a convivial space.

The home is efficient, permanent, and easy to live in, with a design that focuses on being a part of its environment rather than dominating it.

Building a home on a sloping site can be a challenge but also a unique opportunity. With careful consideration and planning, this architectural home has seized the chance and constructed an outstanding home with dramatic views.

Invo lved in this project

ARCHITECT Young Architects 03 384 7879 young.co.nz

BUILDER Hoogervorst Builders 0207 280 9546 hoogervorstbuilders.co.nz

COLOUR AND INTERIOR STYLIST Jane Swinard Design 027 431 7885 janeswinard.co.nz

KITCHEN AND BATHROOOM DESIGN Ingrid Geldof Design 03 377 2557 igd.co.nz

WINDOWS AND DOORS Design Windows 0800 332 259 designwindows.co.nz

TILES DesignAStyle 03 348 1099 designastyle.co.nz

JOINERY THROUGHOUT THE HOME Lyall Park Joinery 03 313 9985 lyallpark.co.nz

LOUVRE Johnson & Couzins 0800 664 083 johnsonandcouzins.com

Best Of Both Worlds

CLOSE TO THE TOWNSHIP OF WĀNAKA, BUT WITH OUTSTANDING VIEWS OF THE LAKE AND MOUNTAINS BEYOND, THIS HOME, DESIGNED BY THREEFOLD ARCHITECTURE, TICKS ALL THE BOXES.

WORDS KATHY CATTON PHOTOGRAPHY JAMIE CORBEL

Well Connected

The electrical elements within this stunning home were expertly connected by Lake Wanaka Electrical.

Wa¯naka is known for its stunning natural beauty. There are more and more unique architectural homes in the Otago area that stand out from the rest. Lismore House is one of those.

Sitting above Roy’s Bay in Wa¯naka, the home appears as a collection of rectangular forms which seemingly turn their back on the street and open out towards the views across the bay and Roy’s Peak beyond.

Homeowners Blair and Bronnie chose this site for its close proximity to the centre of Wa¯naka and its unobstructed views. Having lived in Wa¯naka for over 23 years, they know a thing or two about building here and have seen the growth of the town over the decades.

“We bought the site in 2018 and wanted our home to be private, modern and easy to live in,” says Bronnie. “It’s quite relaxing to be able to watch the movements of Wa¯naka township while being that one step removed from it.”

The couple chose Threefold Architecture to design the home. The collaboration between Bryce Monk, Director at Threefold Architecture and the couple goes back over 15 years, as Bryce has designed their previous family home and various other projects for the pair.

KITCHEN AND MORE Mosgiel Kitchens in conjunction with Threefold Architecture and the homeowners designed the kitchen, laundry, wardrobes and office spaces in this home. The kitchen features a Dekton Sirius bench top and stained oak veneer cabinets.

LUXURIOUS FLOORING

The soft luxurious carpets from Wānaka Flooring Xtra blend beautifully with the interiors of this home.

Otago Mosgiel Kitchens

03 489 8598 - 2 Gow Street, Mosgiel 9024 mastercraft.co.nz

With 30 years of making high quality kitchens as one of Otago’s leading kitchen design and manufacturing specialists. Get in touch today!

Specialist Timber

Vertical timber cladding offers a unique and architectural look to any residential home, while ensuring a weather tight envelope. Rosenfeld Kidson has made significant advances in this façade type and have developed particularly innovative cladding systems, in Western Red Cedar or Truwood – a thermally modified timber.

“Given we’ve worked together in the past, it was always going to be a collaborative effort,” says Bryce. The couple now refers to Bryce as part of their extended family, such is the strength of their working relationship over the years. “He always listens to our needs and wants. He likes being challenged and wants the best for all his clients,” says Blair.

Bryce and his team have an innovative and interdisciplinary skill set, which means they can take a project from the first sketch right through to completion, in an all-inclusive experience. Blair and Bronnie trusted Bryce’s expert advice and expertise. “We have worked with Bryce on many of our build projects, and it’s always a pleasure.”

The 382 square metre home on the 654 square metre section has a unique design. Essentially the property is divided into three zones. The upper level is occupied by open-plan living spaces, a study and the master bedroom. Flexibility and privacy are provided via carefully detailed heavy steel corner doors, which disappear back into the walls when opened. The lower level has been split into a dedicated zone for the couple’s teenage son. There’s also a separate two-bedroom flat for family and friends when visiting.

Once inside, the home opens through strategically placed openings to maximise the views while also maintaining a sense of privacy, comfort and warmth. “Moments of privacy and release continue throughout the interior by use of vertical timber and steel screens, moveable walls and high-level windows,” says Bryce. “It was a difficult site as it was south-west facing, and so it was a challenge to get the sun in.”

For Blair and Bronnie, the views were more important than the sun, so Bryce cleverly managed to get the sun onto the property from the street elevation. “By positioning the property as if it is turning its back on the street, it meant we could also bring that sense of privacy and comfort to the home, while still getting some natural warmth into the home – something that’s particularly appealing on a cold Central Otago day.”

The dark steel and cedar claddings draw on the natural palette offered by the site’s surroundings and offer that sense of contrast to the home. “The raw steel panel is very robust in feel, and the cedar offers a warmer soft balance,” says Bryce.

136 Ballantyne Road, Wanaka 9305

03 443 5479 wanaka@flooringxtra.co.nz www.flooringxtra.co.nz

The dark warm timber tones of the exterior are extended into the interior and offer a neutral canvas with pops of colour, texture and individuality to each of the spaces. Bronnie took on the interior design elements of the home and has created a spectacular ease about the space.

From Bryce’s perspective, the main challenge during the entire project was ensuring the home did the site justice. “It’s a prominent site, but Blair and Bronnie didn’t want it to look and feel too ostentatious,” says Bryce.

For the homeowners, the home certainly ticks all their boxes, from the use of space, the materials and construction quality, the views and off-street parking.

“It was a bit of a challenge getting heavy products onto the site as it’s a steep section, but all the tradespeople involved could see what we were wanting to achieve and were happy to work with us to achieve this,” says Bronnie.

The couple is happy with the result and compliments Bryce and the collaborative effort that went into making this home a reality. “An early collaborative approach was paramount to this project, and we are thrilled with the warm and comfortable home we have created,” says Bronnie.

This unique, rectangular architectural home is truly a sight to behold. With its stunning views, modern design and luxurious features, this is a home that will perfectly balance the views with the proximity to a bustling lakeside town – the best of both worlds.

Exceptional Texture

The beautiful interior textured elements were expertly finished in an Interior Render from Sto who also provided the exterior rendered walls on the lowerlevel of this home.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Threefold Architecture 027 425 0644 threefoldarchitecture.co.nz

ELECTRICAL

Lake Wanaka Electrical 03 443 2344 lakewanakaelectrical.co.nz

KITCHEN DESIGN SPECIALIST

Mastercraft Kitchens Otago – Mosgiel Kitchens 03 489 8598 mastercraft.co.nz

TIMBER CLADDING

Rosenfeld Kidson 03 349 3316 rosenfeldkidson.co.nz

TILES – MASTER ENSUITE AND POWDER ROOM Brymac Tiles 03 366 8187 brymactiles.co.nz

CARPETS

Wanaka Flooring Xtra 03 443 5479 flooringxtra.co.nz/store-details/ wanaka

PLUMBING

Taylor Plumbing and Gas 021 661 414 taylorplumbingandgas.nz

BUILDING MATERIALS

Placemakers Wanaka 03 443 0080 placemakers.co.nz

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR RENDER SYSTEMS Sto New Zealand 04 801 7794 sto.co.nz