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Wairarapa House

From the street, the majority of this house hunkers into its site, the concrete forms anchoring the building to the ground, creating a sense of durability and longevity. While above, a single, copper-and-cedar-clad form reaches for the sky—a vertical counterpoint to the low-slung horizontal lines that make up the ground floor level.

“Upon entry, a highly transparent stair and sunroom create a view shaft from the front door to the Wairarapa Stream beyond,” says Sam Fastier. “From here it becomes apparent that the design of the house informs a courtyard shape that protects the outdoor living and pool areas from the prevailing southerly and easterly winds.

“Landscaping cleverly brings water to the edges of the building, seeking to further blend the architecture into the stream’s edge and establish a strong connection to the water.”

From this rear elevation, the true intent of that copper and cedar sculptured box is discernible.

“Sitting elevated and cantilevered high above the streetscape, this edifice maximises the views over the Wairarapa Stream for a luxurious master bedroom suite situated behind full-width, full-height glazing.”

Downstairs, large sliding doors slide freely behind the steel portal frames supporting the first floor, deliberately extending beyond the glazing line to play with the interface between interior and exterior.

Copper and travertine surfaces are dressed between expressed structural elements of concrete and steel to create an enduring, timeless home. One that seeks not only to enjoy, but also to enhance the existing natural resource it overlooks for many years to come.

Photography credit: Lightforge

Situated on the banks of the Wairarapa Stream in Christchurch, this house uses architecture and landscaping to maximise the connection between the built environment and the natural environment.
A box, sculpted out of copper and cedar, has been elevated and cantilevered high above the streetscape to create a dramatic sense of entry, at ground level, a series of concrete forms anchor the building to the site.
The landscaping cleverly brings water to the edges of the building, seeking to further blend the architecture into the stream’s edge and establish a strong connection to the water.
Copper, concrete and cedar combine to impart a sense of endurance with each material designed to patina over time at its own rate, imprinting upon the house its own history.
Natural elements—water and plants—soften the almost brutalist concrete forms creating a visual and aural counterpoint to the structure.
Copper and travertine surfaces are dressed between expressed structural elements of concrete and steel to create an enduring, timeless home.
To the side of the home, beneath the copper form is a courtyard, from the prevailing southerly and easterly winds.
Garaging is seamlessly integrated into the structure behind cedar cladding.

About the
Professional

We create modern architecture that seeks to excite, lift the spirits, and create a sense of place. +MAP is a design-led studio, formed in Christchurch in 2001. The practice is a partnership between Huia Reriti and Simon Elvidge, and operates with an average of 15 to 20 staff.

We enjoy the continuity of involvement from Kerry Mason, founding partner of +MAP. We work on a broad range of projects across varied typologies, scale, and diverse locations.

The Team

Huia and Simon are supported by a core team of architectural talent consisting of Registered Architects, Graduate Architects and Architectural Technicians. The practice has grown year on year and enjoys a diverse portfolio of work; currently with 17 design staff allowing the necessary resources to continue to perform and engage with new projects.

Philosophy

We strive for creative, innovative, appropriate Architecture. We believe buildings have the ability to evoke imagery beyond the functional requirements and speak of the people, place and time that they engage with. A juxtaposition of intuitive and analytical design approaches informs a response that is regionally focused, contextual and functional.

Sustainability

We seek for each project to become a positive legacy for the owner, and for current and future generations. Sustainability and energy efficiency are core values of +MAP Architects. We take an integrated design approach, with a high level of collaboration between the client and consultant team, to ensure each project is sympathetic to environmental and programmatic requirements. The future flexibility and adaptability of each project is carefully considered.

Innovation

We approach each project as an individual challenge, with unique opportunities and constraints. A high level of collaboration with the client and consultant team informs an innovative and unique response. We consider these issues to be more important than working in a particular style and hope that each project will be an original interpretation of the client, site, brief and budget.

Collectively the Principals bring an impressive blend of design focus and detail experience to each project regardless of size and stature.

+MAP Architects
+MAP Architects

Architects