Located at Old Te Aroha road, the site enjoys first-row views of the Kaimai range.
Architecturally designed home in rural Te Aroha, sitting respectfully in its context.
architecture Palmerston north
Framing Views
Located in Glenbrook, this project is part of a cohesive coastal development consisting of seven bespoke homes expressing the character of the place through form and materiality.
The site is located at the end of a right of way, enjoying unobstructed views of the Waiuku River and Glenbrook Beach. The limited footprint and a coastal erosion setback demanded an upward extrusion, contributing to better sun access for interior spaces and maximising outdoor living opportunities.
Form and the façade fenestration are highly responsive to the context and environmental conditions. The northern elevation results from a subtractive process, receding from the direct summer sunlight. The southern façade measured fenestration provides framed views whilst boxed extrusions offer opportunities for contemplation.
A kind home for kind people.
What a rewarding opportunity it is to be trusted to design someone's forever home - especially if they are cherished, dear friends.
The couple, in their seventies, are the kindest, humble and most compassionate humans around. They breathe joy and enthusiasm for life at every second. They are people of the land and, more often than not, can be found in their extensive organic veggie garden.
The brief: a 90m2 home to accommodate two bedrooms, an open living, and implement sustainable materials and solutions.
The concept draws from the rural vernacular and nods to the traditional farmhouses that populate our public imaginary: the surrounding verandah, the tectonics of post and beam and their expressed connections, robust materials and finishes but ultimately, deference to its context - sitting respectfully on the land.
Passive and active design strategies will work together to promote thermal comfort all year round: the generous verandah protecting the living spaces from excessive solar heating during the hot months; large and strategic openings on the North-south axis promoting cross-ventilation; a low-emission wood burner will provide up to 8kW of heat during the cold months; and finally, the positive northern orientation will make the most of the 10kW photovoltaic array - more than enough for the couple's daily needs.
