Karaka Tower banner
Project by
Location
Eastbourne, Wellington
Year of completion
2023
Project cost
$0.25m - $0.5m

The Karaka Tower, an annex to an existing family home, offers so much more than an additional bedroom and art studio. It provides intrigue and fancy; a place to reflect and retreat; and glimpse of good ol' Kiwi ingenuity and artistry. Nestled amongst the native bush in Eastbourne, Wellington, this modest 9m2 tower is a true reflection of what can achieved by caring craftsman and strong will to prove a concept.

‍The stacked modular volumes were prefabricated in a factory, then helicopter onto a preformed building platform, through the tree canopy, achieving weathertightness onsite in a single day. A true showcase of architectural, construction and coordination excellence.

‍The exposed interior framing makes users feel like they within a tree house; the outlook unhindered to Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The warm glow of the macrocarpa providing a calm place to rest and create, which the users are sure to do.

‍What started out as a modest request for a window seat has turned into something more. Something wonderful, whimsical and well executed.

Outcomes:

  • Modular prefabricated construction
  • Complicated and challenging site overcome with innovation
  • Responsive to existing house and surrounding nature

Awards and
recognition

2024
Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA
Small Project Architecture
Visit Website
07Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
09Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
10Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1-v2.jpg
06Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
05Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
08Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
20Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
01Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
02Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
11Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
04Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
03Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
14Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
15Thomas-Seear-BuddArete-Karaka-TowerV1.jpg
Karaka-Plans.jpg
Karaka-Elevations-Sections.jpg

About the
Professional

Arête Architects believe in blending the planes of architecture and environment; merging the two to achieve architectural excellence.

Arête Architects will embrace your chosen environment and uncover the potential within it. Be it natural or built; micro or macro, interior or exterior, we promise to provide an architectural solution that will exist harmoniously within its context.

Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Arête Architects have a global outlook, seeking solutions, information and technologies internationally in an effort to achieve balance between the built and non-built environments we inhabit.

We love working closely with all stakeholders, through all stages of a project, to ensure that, as a team, we achieve something truly unique, responsive and responsible.