A house on the raw edge

Ōwhiro Bay is an exhilarating place – on one side a steep, bush-clad hill; on the other Cook Strait. When a southerly rolls in it gets pretty wild – the locals call it the ‘raw edge of Wellington’. The owners planned for a family home to make the very best of the special location. Four bedrooms and a home office/playroom, two bathrooms, a double garage and an open-plan living-dining-kitchen space – all on a modest budget. The site demanded tough and durable construction and finishes. Precast concrete was ideal, providing a strong and low-maintenance exterior integral with the structure. The house is arranged in two wings, each under a gabled scissor-truss roof. The west wing has the main bedroom suite over the garage and the east wing has the living space above the other bedrooms. Setting back the west wing provides extra on-site parking and allows views westward along the coast from the living space. Between the house and the hillside at the rear is a large deck, receiving the best sun. On the sea side another deck enjoys the coastal outlook. Two contrasting finishes to the concrete panels add interest and come together at an angle to highlight the front entrance. Inside, the owners have carefully chosen fittings, appliances and doors all in black to match the windows and roof. A timber stair with a slatted balustrade and screen links the two levels. Collaborators: Contractor - Homestead Construction Ltd Interiors – owner Photos – Andre Vroon