Located at Old Te Aroha road, the site enjoys first-row views of the Kaimai range. The clients, a lovely young family (as well as a dog, a pair of alpacas and a goat), gave us their functional requirements with free reign to honour the site and context. Our response: a building that embodies the pragmatism of farm buildings, takes all the opportunities to engage with the surroundings and nods to various heritage buildings that grace the streets of Te Aroha and its mining history. The red roof is a subtle gesture to acknowledge a feature omnipresent in those emblematic buildings. Horizontal timber weatherboards with pronounced battens are spaced to invoke the historic tramlines on the various walking tracks of the Waiorongomai Valley.

The design consists of a single pavilion oriented east, endowing all living spaces with abundant natural light and spectacular views of the Kaimai Range. The program is divided between two zones - private and social - mediated by a flexible breezeway - here performing as a transition space and a semi-outdoor living. A continuous seating bench wraps around the living spaces, extending opportunities for social gatherings whilst offering moments for quiet contemplation of the surroundings.

Project status: Developed Design