Taieri Plains House Otago

This house is located on a lifestyle block on the Taieri Plains, Otago. The owners briefed a relatively small house with three bedrooms and an open plan living space. The site affords great views of the local hills and over the surrounding farm land. The house is on a east west axis, with the living spaces and bedrooms facing north. The construction is a single level and sits low on the site. The client wished for the house to be modest and unobtrusive in the larger landscape. The owners have landscaped extensively around the house and over time the house will be further concealed by trees. External materials are vertical Cedar cladding with aluminium windows and door joinery. The roofing is zincalume long run. Exposed aggregate concrete is used for external terraces and path. An outdoor room with a fire place provides protection from wind and rain and can be used summer and winter. Internal finishes include polished concrete floors, acoustic timber veneer ceiling panels, gib board and totara paneling. The house contains a number of elements contributing towards its environmental sustainability, including photovoltaic cells on the garage roof, inverter and storage batteries. Modelling along the north elevation provides a more 3-dimensional quality to the façade. On other elevations boxed windows contribute to the modelling of the facades.