Mountain haven

Half the joy of owning a holiday home is returning to the same familiar place every year. Making the local architecture part of the design strengthens the connection to the region.

Designer Haden Emslie says he drew inspiration from Central Otago's architecture for this holiday home in the mountains. The region's characteristic exposed timber, schist and plastered walls were incorporated into the design along with the traditional steep gables.

"There's a little bit of local vernacular in every part of the house, with some twists to make it fresh."

The design consists of a series of small buildings linked together, referencing local farms where the outbuildings are connected to each other via low structures, often creating a rambling effect.

"Different materials and varying roof lines help to define each structure within the cluster," says Emslie.

The owners use the home as a summer dwelling, and entertain often, so they sought an open-plan living space to suit their needs.

On the southern side of the house, the living room was angled slightly to make the most of the panoramic view. The entire east-facing wall of the living room, from floor to ceiling, consists of a series of glass panels to frame a view of the mountains and a golf course. The tongue-and-groove ceiling soars to 6m, following the 37° pitch of the roof.

Central to this wall is a large section of schist cladding that opens into a fireplace in the interior. Two stainless steel chimneys draw away the smoke. While rough schist is more traditional, Emslie instead specified smooth stone for clean, angular lines.

To make the most of the sun's heat, a tile floor was laid above a concrete slab to act as a heat sink. The concrete slab absorbs the solar heat during the day, then releases warmth as it cools during the evening. When desired, Roman blinds provide insulation as well as privacy.

Suspended above the room is a stainless steel track with light fixtures that are part of the flexible modular lighting system.

"There are different ceiling heights throughout the house, providing each room with its own sense of space," Emslie says.

For example, the kitchen has exposed beams and an angled tongue-and-groove ceiling that gives it the rustic feel of a lean-to. It is spacious, with four ovens to cater for large groups. The oak-topped island, which contains the hob, functions as a food preparation area.

"People tend to gather for meals and conversation at the raised kitchen bar, rather than the island," says Emslie.

Glazed folding doors open from the kitchen onto the courtyard. Located on the sheltered, northern side of the house, the courtyard is extensively landscaped and paved. Low stone walls offer casual seating while a covered veranda provides protection from sun or rain. At one end of the veranda, sliding doors open to reveal a tiled room containing a barbecue.

"Every part of the design needed to work with the courtyard to get the most from being outdoors," the designer says.

The bedrooms are contained in a double-storey, east-facing barn-like structure that is connected to the main living space via a long, low plastered segment where the dining room and entrance are located.

Story by: Lori Nims

Photography by: Jamie Cobeldick Mountain haven Combining the essence of the countryside with contemporary details