The Garden House
For a Wellington couple ready to right-size, the brief was simple in intent but rich in detail: a home to grow old in.
The appeal of the new site lay in its combination of sun, view, privacy and shelter, with the town belt at the back door and central Wellington an easy walk or cycle away. It's a place to retire into rather than retreat from, with room for the kids to come and go, and for wider family to stay on down the track.
A central skylight runs through the ridge of the house, providing fantastic volume and diffused light from the kitchen to the ensuite. A macrocarpa ceiling, cedar wall panelling with integrated doors, timber joinery elements, exposed trusses in the main bedroom – all carefully considered and expertly finished – add warmth and quality to create an outstanding living environment.
-NZIA WELLINGTON ARCHITECTURE AWARD, READ MORE
The design responds directly to the modest form and scale of the existing bach and the stunning landscape that surrounds it. It is unpretentious with a relaxed and open feeling, offering an informal flow between house and nature. The options are all there: hand a sausage straight from the BBQ to visitors as they arrive, wash the sand off your feet and move directly from the beach to the living area.
Deep eaves and extended pergolas provide sheltered ‘outside rooms’ and decks on both the east and west sides of the living wing. The pergolas extend inwards to reinforce the connection and flow between inside and out. Sliding doors either side of the living room offer adaptable configurations for opening the interior to various outside spaces in response to the changing wind. The entry steps and landings double as hang-out spaces to watch the grandkids at play in the sheltered lawn below.
The house is clad in natural timber, allowing it to weather and sit harmoniously among the sand dunes. Like the pergolas, the timber cladding extends inside, strengthening the cohesion between inside and outside living space. The natural textures of the timber are accentuated by the contrasting sculptural white ceiling.
The ceiling scoops up to the east to draw much needed natural light via skylights into the heart of the house – the kitchen. This sits at the centre of the living spaces, which flow in three directions.