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Pearson Bach is located in the alpine village of St Arnaud. Being the gateway to the Nelson Lakes area, it is a place of compelling natural beauty comprising mountains, lakes and beech forest. The site is elevated and steep, with a north-south orientation. To the south are expansive views over Lake Rotoiti and the mountains, and to the north, kanuka and manuka trees.

The steep cut at the front of the site presented a challenge for establishing access up to the bach. The boatshed is located at the base of the site with landscaped steps, boulders and tussock forming the ascent to the house. The design comprises a central sun court nestled between a bedroom wing at the rear and a living/master bedroom wing at the front. The two wings are connected by a gallery space, with a view into the courtyard and rugged landscape beyond. These separate wings with their mono-pitched roof forms echo the gradient of the site.

A striking orthogonal front elevation of pre-weathered steel provides a visual contrast to the dark stained board and batten cladding used elsewhere. Inside, the material palette is light and warm – natural cedar, cork flooring and natural timber veneer joinery. A feature raked cedar ceiling in the snug and master bedroom creates a sense of intimacy and frames the view, while a high-level cedar volume over the kitchen directs the gaze upwards.

Pearson Bach is a thoughtful response to the climate, site and clients. The layering of textures, spaces and views has resulted in a successful outcome that the clients enjoy in all seasons. The bach has a sculptural quality and a strong architectural presence which references the sloping mountains and distinct landscape of St Arnaud. It was a National Winner in the Master Builder House of the Year Awards.

Photography by Elspeth Collier.

Redbox Architects
Nelson
Pearson Bach
Pearson Bach
Pearson Bach
Pearson Bach
Pearson Bach
Pearson Bach

Professionals used in
Pearson Bach

About the
Professional

Redbox Architects are an energetic, tight-knit team working on a wide range of building sizes and typologies including education, residential, multi-residential, commercial and public projects.   

We are passionate about architecture and all the process entails, and believe that like many things, it comes down to the people. We seek to get the right people involved in a project at the right time to ensure a smooth and fulfilling process. 

We pride ourselves on working collaboratively with our clients to take on their ideas and provide our own insights to build on that. Our design work develops organically and we strive to find a balance between beauty, sustainability, compliance, buildability and budget. 

We are problem solvers at the end of the day and love nothing more than finding the optimum solution for a particular site and brief.