Hillside House

A south facing, sloping site, high on the Newlands hills with jaw dropping views across Wellington harbour. There has been minimal compromise from the initial concept of raising the house to maximise the views and sun, while minimising excavation and touching of the land. Designing a carport not a garage creates the impression of hovering above the site. A small retaining wall anchors the structure at the back, while pole foundations carry the house towards the view. The gravel driveway and landscaping will help the house blend in with the vegetation – the posts appearing like tree trunks. Wrapped in black steel, the cladding is a wide pan steel trough which sets a strict grid, neatly aligning the windows and timber posts. Bright orange and yellow doors provide a splash of colour, offset by other materials in a natural finish – ply soffits and timber stair balustrades. The specific design wind zone required robust detailing on cavity systems and specifications. Inside, the public and private spaces are in two separate wedges dived by an angled wall. The living area has stunning views, a unique lime green steel framed kitchen, looped LED lights, and clerestory windows allowing plenty of sun. Blonded plywood and exposed masonry blocks are mixed with painted plasterboard walls. The bedrooms and amenities are split over stepped levels. Continuous plywood joinery, in a black HPL finish, is an integral part of the architecture. A unique house in a sea of spec houses, we believe this proves a small budget does not exclude you from great design.