Island Bay Hill House
A compact, efficient home perched on a steep Wellington site, designed for a couple and their dogs. The layout prioritises privacy while opening to light and expansive views.
Designing for Wellington’s steep hill suburbs demands a creative approach to densification. This residential infill project responds with a low-slung, efficient design that respects both its neighbours and the site’s integrity. The home is simple, respectful, and peaceful. By balancing privacy with proximity, the architecture enables multigenerational living on a single Wellington site, proving that thoughtful, compact design can successfully increase suburban density while keeping families together.
This project is designed as an infill house to allow for multiple generations of family to live in close proximity. The project required designing a cost effective, compact, efficient home on a steep slope without compromising the stability of the house above or the slope below.
The original overgrown steep site
With economy, durability and site sensitivity in mind, the home’s timber form floats above the site to avoid invasive excavation. The Eastern wall contains a longitudinal services spine. High-level clerestory windows track the sun’s path, washing the interior with light. Spatial efficiency is pushed to the fore: the traditional entry porch and door are sacrificed for expanded living areas, and the laundry is concealed within the corridor.
