Peaks and gables

Among the thrills of building a holiday house is making the most of a great view. Careful placement of windows and decks will ensure many happy years of enjoying the scenery.

Although this lakeside house offers panoramic views, the first consideration was to create a place the owners could enjoy with friends and extended family, says Chris Prebble, principal of Chris Prebble Architects.

With the family foremost, there is a courtyard for barbecues, a game room for the younger generation, a guest house and plenty of deck space for gatherings. But it was the mountains over the lake that inspired the design.

"The repeating gable pattern on the house mimics the shape of the mountains," Prebble says. "The owners didn't want to lose the view of the peaks, so the windows in the main living area and master bedroom extend from the floor to the top of the gables."

Although the house is on a semi-rural site, restrictions to safeguard the neighbours' sight lines meant the dwelling needed to have a small footprint, Prebble says. Height restrictions required a single-storey design.

"To improve the views, the site was raised one metre, so you can see the lake over the trees at the front of the property. Native tussock grass covers the raised area," Prebble says.

Deep eaves frame the view and provide protection from the weather, especially the keen winds that can blow in from the lake. The house is stepped to provide protection from wind and rain, says the architect.

Concrete defines the house; its cool, grey hues blend well with the landscape and its thermal properties provide insulation. Concrete beams are left exposed throughout, to highlight the structure. Strips of cedar on the eaves and elsewhere on the exterior soften the look.

Two precast concrete slabs mirror each other to frame the entry. Despite its weight, the top panel appears to float above its twin to create a canopy. Square lights embedded into the floor slab lead past the front door a single, large sheet of laminated glass.

Inside, lights concealed on top of the canopy illuminate the foyer while a strip light glows from the floor. A white oak hallway on both sides of the slab travels the width of the house, leading towards the bedrooms and the main living area.

The combined kitchen, dining and living area occupies a large, open room with a cathedral ceiling. The white-painted plywood ceiling is grooved, a nod to old-fashioned holiday cottages, Prebble says.

Anchoring the space is an award-winning kitchen designed by Davinia Sutton. Streamlined cabinets fill the back wall underneath a glazed gable, which brings in the morning sun. A central island, topped by manufactured stone, offers more workspace along with a second sink. The coloured glass splashback reflects light and a muted view of the mountains and lake.

Off to the side is a small alcove fitted with a breakfast bar and stainless steel stools. This provides a pleasant place for a morning cup of coffee or a snack, Prebble says. Glass doors give quick access from the pool and guest house. In front of the kitchen is an informal dining and living area, which shares a polished concrete floor with the formal living room.

"To connect to the landscape, local brown pebbles were added to the polished concrete floor in the living areas, adding a layer of colour," Prebble says. "The pebbles appear again in the dual-sided fireplace."

The fireplace separates the combined living, dining and kitchen area from the formal area. However, in the context of the house, the formal living room is a relaxed space. Splashes of colour brighten the grey and white palette, and rugs and soft furnishings help absorb any echoes from the hard surfaces.

Set between two peaks, the living room has a lower ceiling that creates a sense of cosiness. Sliding glass doors open onto a wooden deck protected from rain and wind by the gable ends. The design means the owners can walk from the master bedroom to the living area and stay dry.

Story by: Lori Nims