Harakeke Road

Design brief The large exposed rural site is a gently rolling hillside sloping down to the coats in the distance. The site faces north-west with views across farmlands to Kapiti Island beyond. The brief call for a family home, it was to comprise an open plan living area, separate lounge, three bedrooms, a study/library, and general amenities. The owner’s main requirements were to have indoor-outdoor flow and focus over the rural and Kapiti Island Views. Due to the exposure of the site outdoor living spaces were also required away from the prevailing north-western winds. Design features Spatial - A set nominated building platform is north-west facing capturing expansive coastal and Kapiti island views to the west. The design set the living spaces on the north end of the house, wrapping from the east to the west to ensure an abundance of sun and light. Raking ceilings are utilised in the living areas and hallways for volume allowing clerestory windows to flood additional light into the spaces. A second lounge is located on the eastern side of the house, breaking out onto a courtyard sheltered from the prevailing winds. A large internal glass sliding door separates the living spaces allowing views through the main living area to the western coast. The master bedroom and offices were set on the western side of the house to gain coastal views with the remaining bedrooms and utilities set on the eastern side for morning sun also capturing hill range views. Timber battens were used for screening from see-through separation.  Large decks with inbuilt seating extend out in multiple areas for mixed-use. Form/aesthetics – The pitch of the roof plane was set to fall with the lay of the land to minimise the bulk of the building on the landscape. This also focused the views down the raking ceiling plane to the coast beyond. Large sliding doors open out to the exterior from all living spaces and the master bedroom forming the connection with the exterior. Over-wall sliders were used in multiple areas to provide maximum openings while retaining walls for simplistic bracing and internal wall space. Large soffits and pergolas extend over the western faces to provide much-needed sun protection. The building’s roof fascia folds down and over the walls creating a pod-like form with claddings consisting of bevel back cedar oiled to blend with the landscape, black white walls, and stone features for contrast. The house was completed in 2014.