A warm and vibrant home, modern yet steeped in family history
This charismatic house sits on the banks of the Rangitopuni stream, looking over the water and native riparian bush. It is built with a combination of board and batten, thoughtfully finished with vertical cedar cladding.
With a Homestar 7 rating, this dwelling ticks all the sustainability boxes: built on a MAXRaft concrete slab (polished for solar gain), a gas-fired boiler unit controlling piped water heating under the concrete slab and providing hot water for the home, thermally-broken windows, and high insulation. A green theme echoes throughout, and the ensuite even has doors opening to a living wall for an outdoor shower feel.
Despite its 21st century design, the home has a deeply traditional and personal touch. The owner is a fourth generation vintner, and antique wine and port oak barrels (crafted by the owner’s great grandfather) have been recycled for the front door, shelves, vanities and an office desk.
Project overview
The build took seven months from design to completion. Waller Projects dealt with all council liaison and paperwork.
Client brief
The client desired a four-bedroomed family home, featuring a “living wing” with exceptional indoor/outdoor flow to take full advantage of the beautiful setting. Based on the architect’s detailing, Waller Projects therefore created a single storey H-shaped floor plan around a central courtyard, capturing the views but maintaining privacy between neighbours.
Project challenges
Due care and consideration were given to an exclusion zone in proximity to the water’s edge
Client comments
Mark and his team were recommended by our architect. We received three quotes; Mark’s wasn’t the cheapest, but we liked its clarity and thoroughness. Waller Projects’ excellent previous work and Mark’s openness and straightforward approach were also appreciated.
We wanted an energy-efficient home to comfortably accommodate our family that wasn’t just “out of the box”. It had to utilise the natural landscape to its maximum too. Our architect drew up the plans, and Mark’s input on some of the finer details helped perfect the overall project.
Communication was a major factor in the build. Waller Projects provided us with a Gantt chart which outlined the process, and they diligently maintained this. Any issues were discussed and remedied with ease.