Stretching out to nature

Children, parents, guests – three wings and an upstairs means everyone has their space in this sprawling, sustainably minded rural home

Front entrance with two storey bedroom wing to

Despite celebrating clean lines, the home ahcieves an

Looking from the kitchen back towards the main

The communal areas promote inclusiveness and interaction with

A slender breakfast table bisecting the blockish island

The well-appointed scullery. - Stretching out to nature

Dining area. - Lee Turner Soaring Box House

Black and white world – the contemporary powder

The riserless stairs lead up to a further

Sustainability was a key consideration with the soaring

The living zone with its spectacular ceiling opens

Designed by Lee Turner, Turner Road Architecture

From the building designer:

Project description

Located in rural Waikato, this sprawling family home offers the perfect response to the owners’ wish for a “place of tranquility where family and friends could be entertained with style and ease”.

While making a striking architectural statement on the landscape, a commitment to the use of raw textures and materials and a colour palette that complements the surrounding environment makes a perfect pairing.

Internal and external glazing creates symmetry as well as connecting the home's occupants with its outdoor surroundings.

Design features and creative solutions

An expansive site with panoramic views provided the perfect blank canvas for a bespoke design that met the needs of a family of five in rural Waikato.

Making the most of the north-east aspect, the main living area, open-plan kitchen, living and dining spaces all face towards a vista of established trees and foliage.

Separate wings provide space and privacy – the master suite, a guest wing and children’s bedrooms are all located in distinct and separate pods.

A spacious open plan design for the communal areas of the home promote inclusiveness and easy interaction.

The well-appointed kitchen has access to both the scullery and bar room with dual access from the bar to the outdoor kitchen/BBQ area.

Perfect for entertaining, the outdoor living space is an extension of the home’s internal main living area – accessed through large glass sliding doors, it includes a fireplace and bar access.

The cedar slatted ceiling with integrated lighting seamlessly extends from the inside out, providing a sense of one continuous space.

Vertical louvres allow the space to be utilised for entertaining all year round.

A utilities passage creates a clear division between the main living area and functional spaces.

Sustainability was a key consideration, with the soaring glazed wall on the north-eastern elevation not only designed for the views but also to invite the sun in to warm the interior during winter.

Conversely, to the south glazing has been used sparingly to reduce heat loss.

The large roof overhang and the high-level vertical aluminium louvres, protect the internal space from overheating in summer.

Other considerations include highly insulated walls and ceilings; tilt-panel concrete walls for thermal mass; double glazed argon filled aluminium joinery; and passive ventilation from well-positioned windows and doors.

The texturally rich exterior seamlessly blends cedar cladding with Eurostyle standing seam iron and precast concrete to complement the natural environment.