Water's edge

At one with the scenery this new home designed and built by Fowler Homes maximises an idyllic waterfront site in Mapua near Nelson

Nestled among the trees on the shoreline at cottage, estate, facade, home, house, property, real estate, sky, villa, water, teal — Nestled among the trees on the shoreline at Mapua, this new home blends seamlessly with the natural environment, designed and built by Fowler Homes.

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Cedae-clad living area, with the bedroom wings on apartment, backyard, cottage, estate, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, resort, sky, villa, blue

Dark-stained wood cabinetry contrasts a white island that architecture, ceiling, floor, flooring, hardwood, house, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, living room, real estate, room, table, wood, wood flooring, gray

Kitchen Appliances - Kitchen Appliances - countertop | countertop, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray, brown

KItchen and dining - KItchen and dining - ceiling, dining room, house, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, table, window, gray

Accents of red enliven the natural materials in ceiling, estate, floor, house, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, white

Contemporary Modern bedroom - Contemporary Modern bedroom - bedroom, estate, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, room, window, gray

Morden Bathroom - Morden Bathroom - bathroom | bathroom, estate, home, interior design, property, real estate, room, window, gray, white

Sheltered deck at the rear of the house backyard, cottage, elevation, estate, facade, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, siding, villa, blue

House Incorporates a swimiming pool - House Incorporates architecture, backyard, cottage, elevation, estate, facade, family car, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, siding, swimming pool, villa, blue

Glass sliding doors are positioned to allow a backyard, cottage, deck, estate, facade, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, siding, window, wood, wood stain, blue

Designing a new home to sit right on the shoreline brings its own challenges, and this project was no exception.

The waterfront home, designed and built by Fowler Homes Nelson, replaces an older house that was long past its use-by date. Manager Lisa Stevenson says the new house needed to fit in with the landscape, and it had to sit mostly within the original footprint.

"It was not only essential to maximise the great views across to Rabbit Island, but also to provide extensive decking so the owners could relax outdoors. To this end, we created a central living volume that opens to decks on both sides. If an onshore breeze is blowing, the owners can use the sheltered deck at the rear, which is where we placed the swimming pool. With large glass sliders front and back, the owners can still enjoy the water views there is a sightline right through the house."

The cladding is also a design response to the location. Colorsteel corrugated iron in New Denim Blue wraps around the two bedroom wings on either side of the house the colour provides a visual link with the water. To contrast the iron, the central volume is clad in cedar wood, while Rockcote plaster in an off-white shade features at the rear.

As with every Fowler Homes project, the interior was designed for easy, relaxed living. The spacious open-plan living area incorporates a feature wall that resembles natural stone. A rustic timber beam serves as a mantelpiece.

Bright red accents also enliven the living space. One wall near the dining area, and an adjoining beam are finished with a textural red wallpaper. The flooring is feature-grade American oak, chosen for its knots and graining, which convey a subtle rustic look.