Otoparae House

By Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects

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Built for a family of four who are very aware of the sensitivity of the site – a prominent hill in the King country with spectacular views of local bush and the valley to the north. The clients wanted a house that “fitted into” the landscape and asked that we maximise the outdoor experience by breaking the house into pavilions.

Falls of rhyolite rock scatter the surrounding hillsides so we decided to cut into the site and arrange the pavilions along a walkway faced with a rhyolite retaining wall. This loosely enclosed verandah forms the spine of the house, with all rooms opening off it to the north. Pivoting aluminium panels run the length of the verandah and can be propped open in the summer or closed down tight in winter.

Rain is caught in a concrete gutter on the wall or in concrete troughs on the open side.

Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects
Auckland
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House
Otoparae House

Professionals used in
Otoparae House

Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects
Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects
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About the
Professional

Julian Mitchell is the director of Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects; one of his areas of expertise is timber construction, a field in which has considerable practical as well as design experience. Julian worked with many architects as a builder from the mid 1980’s before completing an architecture degree in 2001. He has a strong understanding of the pragmatics and craft of building and is skilled at managing projects through construction. He was involved in the documentation of Unitec Landscape & Plant Sciences Building, was site architect for the Tauranga Art Gallery. He oversaw construction of the recently opened Lopdell House Redevelopment and Te Uru Contempory Gallery in Titirangi.

Julie Stout is a partner of Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects; winner of the Chrystall Excellence Award, 2014 and one of the leading figures in New Zealand architecture. She is currently Adjunct Professor in the Department of Architecture, Unitec, Auckland. Julie has worked on projects ranging from urban planning to private houses, has a particular interest in community buildings. She has experience in working with a variety of stakeholder groups to help realise their projects, and plays a key role in design and co-ordination. Her work includes urban planning, schools and public buildings, commercial developments, multi-unit residential projects and individual houses. 

Rachel Dodd is a partner of Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects. She graduated from Unitec in 2007 with an Honours degree in Architecture having won numerous awards, including 3 design scholarships for overseas travel. Since graduating she has worked predominantly on residential projects, including multi-unit housing. Her experience ranges from the most modest to large, bespoke projects from inception to completion.  In 2015 she won an NZIA National Award for an innovative alteration and addition to a 1930’s State House. It was the only project to win in its category that year.

Natalee Tan is  an architectural graduate from the University of Auckland, graduating in the year 2014.  She joined Mitchell & Stout Architects in 2015 and has since worked on a variety of projects, including small scale residential, and medium sized housing developments. Natalee is digitally proficient with CAD and BIM software, producing 3D models and presentation work for clients.