Green outlook

Designed by Borrmeister Architects and Common Good Architects

From the architects:

Our homeowners were looking to build their 'dream home' and after living in the heart of town, the semi-rural setting with sweeping views over the golf course (offering a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the busy summer months in town) appealed. 

The brief

The brief called for a modern mid-century inspired home, with clean lines. 

It was to be single level to allow them to stay in the house as they age with an open-plan kitchen, dining & living area; the master suite, and guest rooms were to be separated, with guest rooms to feel like a retreat. 

Having previously lived within walking distance to the beach, a pool was to be incorporated from the outset; plus the owners wanted to take advantage of the views but also wanted to enjoy privacy.

In response

From the entry, you are drawn into the central living space featuring timber beams which appear to float above the glazed facades to each side.

The living space enjoys views out over the local golf course to one side and to a private outdoor space and pool area beyond to the other. 

Each room is designed to feel like an individual retreat, with access to an outdoor area and different outlook, yet they all connect back to the main central living area.

The shape of the house ( influenced by a designated 25m diameter permitted building area) helps to establish privacy from neighbouring properties, while at the same time takes advantage of views and creates multiple outdoor areas for use at different times of the day or weather dependent.

The material selection and colour palette assist in achieving a relaxed & calm space with a beachy aesthetic, which feels sophisticated yet not too precious.

Site and context

The site is located within a small subdivision comprising of smaller semi-rural lifestyle properties on the outskirts of Whangamata township, located next to the town's 18 hole Titoki Golf Course.

The site is rectangular with a gradual slope from the south to the midpoint of the site, then an increased gradient down to the northern corner. 

The building platform is elevated to the north and set down from the west, to allow a single level house to be achieved.

It features views out to the North/North-East over the golf course and towards the town and peninsular beyond, while also having views out to the bush & forestry to the West and maintaining privacy from the golf course bordering the western boundary.

It has neighbouring residential properties to the South-Eastern, North-Eastern & North-Western boundaries.

Planning / other constraints

The subdivision has a set of covenants to adhere to, including all buildings to have a dominant horizontal profile that uses building modulation to break the length of the building façade, height limitations (6m max. above original ground level), and a colour reflectivity (LRV) maximum values for exterior surfaces.

Plus, all glazing had to be non-reflective tinted glass with large areas of glazing to be recessed below wide eaves and there were lighting restrictions to reduce the spill of light beyond the property's boundary due to its semi-rural setting.

Another constriction was that there was to be a 25m diameter circular permitted building area located within each site.

In fact, a resource consent was required due to a minor portion of the eaves breaching the 25m diameter-permitted building platform, as well as for the inclusion of the swimming pool.

Material selection, method of construction and impact on maintenance costs

The house has a concrete slab foundation, and the exterior walls and roof structure are timber framing. 

The central kitchen, dining, living area features an exposed steel structure and large timber beams spanning across the width of the space, extending out to the exterior.

The roofing is a combination of Colorsteel long run iron and membrane roofing.

The exterior cladding is comprised of Abodo Vulcan weatherboards with Abodo’s Sioo:x (weathered) finish and the Resene Integra lightweight concrete façade system to the chimney surround.

The windows and doors are a combination of APL thermally broken & architectural suite aluminium frames and high-performance double glazing.

A combination of timber decks and concrete patios around the pool area make up the hard landscaping spaces.

The internal wall lining is generally painted GIB board with tile finishes in the wet areas.

In addition, there are a couple of areas where the Abodo timber weatherboards extend from the outside into the interior; and in similar vein, the Resene Rockcote Cerano (exterior concrete finish) has been applied to the living room end wall to match the exterior chimney and landscaping pool wall. 

The floor finishes are carpet, T&G timber floorboards and tiles.

Sustainability

We took an holistic approach to creating an energy efficient and sustainable home.

The floor plan is single level for easy, future-proof living and accommodates separated bedrooms wings, resulting in the guest room areas being able to be effectively closed off when not in use – allowing the house flexibility around fluctuating number of occupants.

The home is orientated to capture the sun throughout the day and achieve natural cross ventilation throughout. 

The main roof stretches out like an extended wingspan across the length of the building, with the gable providing height & volume.

Large roof overhangs over the central living space provide shading from the sun and protection from the weather – responding to the local daily sun path. 

Bespoke 'eyebrow' projections are incorporated above the two end guest bedroom sliding doors to provide shelter and sun protection.

The house has its own on-site wastewater treatment system, allowance to establish both useable and functional outdoor spaces for vegetable gardens, and a dedicated services area for clothesline etc. 

A flat, grassed area for the owners' dogs was part of the design from the outset – an essential component for future proofing the home and their lifestyle.

Green materials / systems

• High above-code levels of floor, wall and roof insulation
• Thermally broken window and door joinery with high performance double glazing to the majority of the spaces
• Low maintenance roofing such as Colorsteel long run iron and membrane roofing
• Selection of FSC certified timbers for cladding and landscaping
• Selection of low VOC paints / materials and finishes
• Energy efficient light bulbs
• Allowance in garage for future electrical vehicle charging station
• On-site wastewater treatment and disposal system

Traditional methods like standard timber framing were selected to support the local economy by using local contractors which would be able to work within their skill sets.

Story by: Trendsideas