Our first commission on this large and attractive suburban property was an end-to-end renovation of the existing Heritage-listed villa. To complement the house, our second brief was for a ‘poolhouse’, to provide accommodation for guests, amenities and plant space for the new swimming pool, garaging and workshop.

The design is contemporary, while respecting the scale, texture and colour of the existing house. The simple, gabled form and board-and-batten cladding echo the traditional farm buildings in the area.

The guestroom looks over the pool to the rural aspect and a panoramic view of the Tararua Range, while the large cantilevered balcony provides an outdoor living space, privacy for the guestroom, and shelter and shade below. The building forms one side of the pool safety enclosure. The plastered concrete screen walls separate the access to the guestroom from the pool area and visually soften the two-storey elevation.

Sustainable and energy-efficient features include:

• An array of photovoltaic panels on the roof.
• Pool and guestroom heated by energy-efficient heat pumps.
• LED lighting throughout.
• Water-based paints throughout.
• Timber framing and timber cladding (renewable, carbon sequestration).
• High-performance double glazing.

Collaborators:

• Holmes Construction Ltd (Greytown)
• Structural Concepts Ltd (Napier)
• Hamish Moorhead Landscape Architect

Photography credit: John Wright