Facebook Tweet Help Stories New Home New Zealand TIDA Homes Simple form, balanced proportions, clean lines Share Tweet Help Family home designed in a long low form so as not to stand out on the hill and to maximise the views This four-bedroom family home makes the most of the spectacular views to the north, south and west and creates a fantastic living environment for a young family. Designed by Karsten Architectural DesignFrom the designer:Project DescriptionThis four-bed family home is built on a steep section high above the Nelson Haven. The house makes the most of the spectacular views to the north, south and west and creates a fantastic living environment for a young family.A level platform was excavated to create a flat lawn area off the front of the house. The siting of the house was a balancing act to avoid large expensive earthworks and allow access from the house to a lawn. Timber pole retaining walls at the front and rear create a level platform and are low enough to avoid handrails. Timber pole retaining walls at the front and rear create a level platform and are low enough to avoid handrails.Outdoor living areas are accessible on both sides of the house.Design Features and Creative SolutionsThe house was designed in a long low form so as not to stand out on the hill and also to maximise the views. The cedar has been stained with an ash colour stain which is subtle and a practical colour and blends well with the surrounding vegetation.The real feature of the house is the simple form, proportions and clean lines. The cedar has been stained with an ash colour stain which is subtle and a practical colour and blends well with the surrounding vegetation. The lawn is set below the floor of the house to avoid a handrail on the deck and lawn. The deck bearers are set back allowing the deck to cantilever.This solar passive house has polished concrete floors that create thermal mass and provide a practical and cost-effective surface. Walls and roof are over-insulated, joinery is low 'E' and thermally broken. The bedrooms have thick thermal curtains to maintain heat at night. The house uses very little electricity.The oak kitchen is stunning and the simple details of the interior mimic the architecture of the exterior. Credit list Designer Tony Karsten, Karsten Architectural Design Awards Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Highly Commended Cladding Cedar from Rosenfeld Kidson Story by: Trendsideas Photography by: Chocolate Dog Studio 24 Dec, 2018 New Home New Zealand TIDA Homes Trendsideas Home kitchen bathroom commercial design Latest Post An intuitive journey 29 Sep, 2024 Moody dovetails modern 29 Sep, 2024 Relaxed meets rustic by the sea 29 Sep, 2024 We know the Specialists Similar Stories