By Pacific Environments Architects
A truly unique piece of New Zealand architecture that captures the contemporary NZ vernacular theme. This residence and functions venue (weddings etc.) incorporates multiple cultural overlays whilst having an internal ‘arts and crafts’ feel with the use of natural handcrafted materials. This large new farm residence at Pie Melon Bay softly blends into the landscape. Designed to sit sensitively into the landscape, natural stone and timber are the main materials that create an easy transition from beach to hillside surrounding the house to native bush and rural pastures beyond.
An extremely sustainable building from its passive design features, being partly built underground it produces a very stable internal environment with water re-use, natural ventilation and many materials being sourced locally.
The client’s brief was to design a house that touched the ground lightly and worked within the landscape to ‘naturally belong.’ Other features are internal ‘sunken’ courtyards, a semi-circular kitchen, expansive use of volcanic ‘northland’ stone throughout the exterior and interior, beautiful natural landscaped areas, artworks and sculptures and an entirely separate guest quarter.
Overall the total house is approximately 900m2 and there is even a cricket pitch on the front lawn overlooking the beach. This home is both grand in scale and contemporary but also a great example of workmanship with its use of natural materials producing a stunning residence with a very ‘homely’ feel.
The landscape design carried out by Ted Smyth links the internal and external environments.
Pacific Environments Architects is an environmentally focused architectural & urban design practice working towards the best outcomes for people, place and community.
With over 60 years experience, our portfolio showcases a diverse range of projects – master planning and urban design, civic and community centres, commercial buildings, retirement villages, large and small-scale residential, community housing, education facilities, sports and leisure and resort projects.
Whatever the size of your project, we have specialists from our team of 40+ that can guide you through the design process. We support our services with a clear and cohesive design process. From briefing to project completion, including pre-purchase feasibility, site selection and contract administration, our goal is to provide an easy-to-follow and enjoyable experience.
An underlying philosophy at Pacific Environments is to promote environmentally sustainable and regenerative design. We believe that designing physical objects, the built environment and associated infrastructure to comply with the principles of social, economic and ecological sustainability are core to a constantly regenerating and self-sustaining ecosystem. Pacific Environments were early to adopt environmentally sustainable processes and methodologies in the practice, and were one of the founding signatories of New Zealand Architects Declare. As such, we are committed to strengthening our working practices to create architecture and urbanism that has a more positive impact on the world around us. We have recently joined Toitu Envirocare and are working towards becoming a certified carbon zero company by 2023.
The Pacific Environments team genuinely love what they do, our positive, energetic and ‘hands on’ approach along with a focus on understanding our clients’ needs means that we deliver tailored solutions, not generic answers.