Karearea House
For a Wellington couple changing gear and looking to the future, the desire was to create a home that could operate in two modes: an enduring home for themselves and a holiday retreat for the extended family.
Some years before they approached us, these clients had found their dream site on the outer edge of Wanaka. It is a rocky north-facing knoll, past the kanuka bush and outcrops of schist up Mount Iron, where panoramic views showcase Mount Aspiring and the ranges beyond.
In response to this dramatic landscape, we designed a faceted roof that carves dramatically over the main house, reminiscent of the area’s dynamic glacial age. The warm wooden form kinks to create a sheltered courtyard behind. A standalone crib nestles above, while the entryways frame and guide views, offering multiple spaces to pause and take in the landscape beyond. Over time, the building’s cladding will weather, taking on the silvered patina of the surrounding native bush.
