These include a small-scale subdivision in Point Chevalier, Auckland, through to a number of family homes in the South Island. 2016 will see the completion of both the Dobson house in Auckland: a 1970s cottage redesigned to capture views of the surrounding bay; and the two-storey, three-pavilioned rural Hunua house in the Waikato.

CLEARWATER HOUSE, Christchurch
2014

This two-storey family home is warm, low-maintenance and light, delivering on the client’s desire for a highly liveable building.

Conceptualised as a series of elegant floating boxes, the interconnected structures envelop a sheltered, north-facing courtyard providing private outdoor space. Arranged in two main wings, the floating boxes maximise sunlight and surrounding views. The lakeside site offered a level building platform on the edge of a steep slope, which ran towards the lake, ensuring the views would be protected.

One wing compromises a large open-plan living, kitchen and dining area, guest room, three-bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and master suite facing the sun and courtyard. Large-scale picture windows add a sense of luxury and light, bringing the views directly into the heart of the home. 

To the south, a double-height formal entrance, lounge, music space and a grand mezzanine library maintain sightlines to the lake and are positioned to bring evening sun into this tranquil area. Timber composite and natural-coloured panels provide a stylish, low maintenance finish that visually links inside and out.

LAKE BRUNNER HOUSE, Grey District
2015

This long, low-slung home sits on the shores of Lake Brunner, around 30kms southeast of Greymouth. The home is nestled into the landscape, taking cues from its serene lakeside surrounds. As well as requiring the house to integrate with the scenery rather than dominate it, the client also wanted an informal home that lent itself to quiet relaxation. 

The front of the house, oriented to the views of the lake, opens onto a sheltered outdoor living area. External decks have been set at the same height as the interior floor, reinforcing the permeable nature of the boundary between the built and natural environments.

Externally, various-width vertical cedar cladding is punctuated by white plaster for contrast. Internally, a wide, light-filled corridor connects the lake side of the home with two more bedrooms, as well as the kitchen, dining room and laundry. Here, white walls are broken up with a white vertical slatted timber wall, which screens the smaller second lounge-cum-TV room.

In the master suite, a floor-to-ceiling window enables the view to be enjoyed from the shower, while a wooden privacy screen echoes the slatted wood motif used elsewhere.

THE BLOCK HOUSES (26A - 28A Newell Street, Auckland)
2014

Small-lot subdivision is becoming more and more common in New Zealand’s urban centres as house prices and availability squeeze supply. This project demonstrates what can be achieved through smart planning, especially if an architect is involved in the subdivision process. 

A good architect will deliver a creative solution, within council guidelines, which may not otherwise have be obvious if a surveyor is solely responsible. An architect will think in 3D rather than just carving up a site in plan. They will consider the following: how a building mass will sit on its site; how as yet undesigned and unbuilt homes will relate to each other; and, importantly, what the experience of living in them will be like. 

This small-scale subdivision in Auckland’s Point Chevalier epitomises this. Two existing sites (totalling 1,668m²) were subdivided into four new lots, each with a two-storey house. The houses enjoy the same amenity but have distinctly different appearances – appearances in keeping with the streetscape to enhance the feeling that they have always been there. Each house has three bedrooms, two living-areas, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a decent backyard and a double garage. All feature generous proportions inside, despite the relatively modest sections – made possible by planning the subdivision in tandem with the design of the homes.

26A NEWELL STREET

With an elegant architectural form reminiscent of the bungalows in the area, this home takes a classic design and merges it with modern comfort. Carefully placed windows frame views to the harbour and capture winter sun, while large eaves shade outdoor spaces during summer months. 

The modest 190m² floor area fits in three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a guest WC, two living spaces, kitchen and scullery, dining area, laundry and double garage. An intimate balcony leading off the main bedroom looks down to the outdoor living space. A rear lot in this subdivision of four, accessed by its own private driveway, this home is a quiet haven.

26 NEWELL STREET

This contemporary home features angled planes that guide you towards its entry. Inside, it is bright and airy, with open-plan living that flows seamlessly outdoors creating the feeling of a much larger space. Facing the street with a confident square form and angled roof line, the home fits well with its neighbours and affords good views of the immediate surrounds and Sky Tower in the distance.

28 NEWELL STREET

This weatherboard home features an elegant gable form wrapped in charcoal-coloured metal cladding. Patterned screens positioned in front of key windows provide privacy while also referencing the heritage of its Point Chevalier surrounds.

The modest 198m² floor area accommodates three bedrooms, two bathrooms and guest WC, two living spaces, kitchen and scullery, dining area, laundry and double garage. Storage is provided throughout the house and supplemented by generous attic space. With views towards Auckland city’s sky line and a bold street-facing silhouette, this home brings the local bungalow vernacular into the 21^st century.

28A NEWELL STREET

The design team for this site worked with the ample views and sunlight to create a design incorporating full-height sliding windows that completely open up the northern corner. The compact 188m² footprint accommodates three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an additional WC, two living spaces, kitchen with scullery, dining area, laundry and double garage. Its design provides additional flexibility with the potential for an upstairs living room to be converted into a fourth bedroom.

Set on a rear lot with its own private driveway, the home is tucked away and overlooks a tidal estuary and the Meola reef park – a quiet urban retreat ten minutes from downtown Auckland.

DOBSON HOUSE, Auckland
Early 2016 completion

An existing 1970’s cottage, sitting high over Arkles Bay, has been significantly redesigned to create a sense of arrival. Located at the end of a 40m drive, the property has been designed to capture views of the bay and deliver the wow factor.

The original dwelling underwent an interim remodelling to rid it of damp, cold spaces and to free it from the clasp of over-grown bamboo. The current proposed renovation extends the house further, better connecting it with its site and making more of the views and outdoor spaces. Keen boaties, the clients were interested in an intimate and warm home but with a powerful sense of arrival and presence.

The shell of the existing house forms a backdrop to the extensions, which expand the living areas to create a new terraced outdoor space with a barbeque, fireside seating and a new pool. This is accessed through full-width overhead-opening glazed doors. A simple, folding roof allows the home to open to the sky as well as shelter the new spaces beneath. The living space is anchored to the site and the connection to the earth is emphasised through rammed-earth walls, which separate spaces and orient views. The pool is oriented towards Arkles Bay, connecting the house and lush native garden to the bay and distant horizon.

HUNUA HOUSE, Waikato
Early 2016 completion

Nestled into the foothills of the Hunua ranges, this two-storey home stretches along a hillside contour, delivering the most of expansive western views out towards the Manukau heads and north towards the city.

The house comprises three pavilions. The first contains a north-facing, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that flows out onto a low bluestone terrace, which grounds the home, references the volcanic boulders found on site, and creates an excellent connection with the garden.

The second, two-storey central pavilion makes for a grand entry, housing a study and media room, which opens onto the west-facing garden, at ground level. An expansive master bedroom suite is located on the first floor. The third pavilion is where the remaining bedrooms, garaging and – essential for this dog-loving family – a mudroom and laundry complex are located.

The pavilions are an elegant take on a rural vernacular, clad in a combination of Colorsteel, cedar and bluestone.

Q & A with Alisdair Daines of Context Architects here.