Karaka Tower banner

Karaka Tower

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
Location
Eastbourne, Wellington
Completed
2023
Price to build
$0.25m - $0.5m
Building style
Small home
Awards
Small Project Architecture - 2024
Small Projects - 2024
House renovation - 2024

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.  

Arête Architects
Arête Architects

Architects