Architectural designer Peter Davis had a challenge on his hands juggling the seemingly contradictory demands of this project in tranquil Waikanae on the rugged Kāpiti Coast. “The brief was to provide room for the client’s interest in music and motorbikes, as well as quiet spaces for relaxation,” says Davis. “Above all, I was tasked with creating flexible living solutions for anywhere from two people to a crowd.”
What the clients wanted was relatively straightforward, a single-level modern build, with clean, unfussy lines and letting in as much natural light as possible. Being in scenic Waikanae, they also wanted their home to remain in touch with nature and have easy indoor-outdoor flow.
“We wanted to retain the mature planting around the perimeter of the site and get a sense of nature in the house. A pavilion-style design provided the quality of light we were after, as well as areas of interest, shelter and privacy,” Davis explains.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution. Davis wrapped a simple U-shaped plan like an embrace around a minimalist, low-maintenance outdoor area. This half-courtyard takes care of the need for flow, but with plenty of peace and privacy.
“Privacy was a top priority for our clients,” says Davis.“With a lot of bush around this home, the challenge was to fit within the existing cover. From a design perspective, we tried to make things feel enclosed.
The building maintains interconnected open lines of sight throughout, but the private areas, such as the main bedroom, feel fully enclosed and discrete.
“We used a really simple construction methodology to achieve a really high-quality feel,” says Davis. “Along with creating a logical flow from entry to living pavilion and to guest bedroom/garage pavilion, I opted to let the spatial design of the house and its clean external lines be the hero.”
Davis needed a way of unifying the exterior with a surface that would blend in with the natural environment and wouldn’t distract from the elegant lines of the home. Proportionally, there is a lot more exterior wall than the size of the house suggests, and the clients were clear they wanted it to be black.
Working with the team at David Reid Homes, Davis settled on StriaTM Cladding by James Hardie. It was easy to install, cost-effective and had exactly the kind of longevity and robustness you need on a coastal site that’s exposed to the elements.
“It achieves the bold vertical lines we wanted to complement the linear design,” says Davis. “StriaTM Cladding is much easier to install and work with than, say, a metal tray – and it also worked out to be more cost-efficient.”
Stria’s flat look and ability to hold its shape over time makes it ideal for the black-house trend. Davis is delighted with the result and, in particular, how it feels to experience the home from the exterior: “I think the eastern external aspect has quite a striking yet dignified aesthetic as you approach the house, leading into the sheltered courtyard.”
This story was produced in association with James Hardie. For more stories and product information, click here.
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