Borrowing from the past

Borrowing from the past

Embedded in the design and construction of this sophisticated Christie Brothers Building home near Wānaka, is the owner’s nostalgia for a beloved family property in Central Otago.

WORDS Anna Scaife        PHOTOGRAPHY Simon Larkin

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Against the stunning backdrop of the working high country

During a summer spent in Wanaka, owners Phil and Rosie were introduced by chance to the unique development at Hillend Station. Against the stunning backdrop of the working high-country farm, the couple had their pick of the available sections as the first buyers to take the opportunity. Now they are savouring the views and the comforts of their beautiful new home built for them by Christie Brothers Building.

“We chose Hillend because of its proximity to Wanaka and the way the sites are spread through the farm. We thought it would feel less like a property development than some others we considered. We chose this particular site because of its northerly aspect, secluded location and because it offered the best access to sun throughout the day,” says Rosie.

RTA Studio Architects were engaged to design the property with a brief to create a family home using forms and materials which referenced the location and the history of the area. Phil also had a special request to borrow design elements from a piece of his family history.

“My dad helped build my great aunt’s home on a farm outside Lowburn - which is now underneath Lake Dunstan. I would spend the August school holidays there recovering from bronchitis that I used to get every year growing up in Southland. Richard from RTA Studio came up with a simple concept that reflects the rugged schist of her house with a few more amenity features, such as internal doors!” 

INSPIRED BY THE PAST The home design was inspired by this old family hut, which the homeowner’s father helped his great aunt to build.

INSPIRED BY THE PAST The home design was inspired by this old family hut, which the homeowner’s father helped his great aunt to build.

The resulting design is a 338 square metre, three bedroom home, incorporating a master bedroom with ensuite, living area and media room as well as garaging and separate sauna and massage rooms. According to the couple’s desire to savour the outdoors year-round, the swimming pool and outdoor living spaces are designed to cater to all seasons. 

Richard from RTA says, “The form of the house was developed to reference many of the local vernacular pitched roof buildings that have been used in the region throughout history. We approached the project with a sensitivity to the local context and landscape, creating a building that was sympathetic to its surrounding rather than contrasting it.”

ROCK SOLID Wanaka Landscapes covered all aspects of landscaping and irrigation, including the stone walls surrounding the home.

ROCK SOLID Wanaka Landscapes covered all aspects of landscaping and irrigation, including the stone walls surrounding the home.

When searching for a builder, Phil and Rosie asked around friends who had built homes in the area and Christie Brothers Building came highly recommended.

“We spoke to a number of builders before deciding that Matt and Brad from Christies were right for us. The quality of workmanship on their projects was excellent, but it was more about the attitude and openness of them as people that made our decision easy.”

Strict covenants on the resource consent for the development meant the project team had to make some last minute changes to the pavilion heights. To get the building proportions right, the team had to excavate to drop the floor level which meant moving approximately 2,500 cubic metres of material. Despite these challenges, the owners say the project hummed along smoothly.

DARK CONTRASTS The windows and doors from Reids Joinery provide a flawless frame for the exceptional views.

DARK CONTRASTS The windows and doors from Reids Joinery provide a flawless frame for the exceptional views.

“Matt and Brad have a great sense of humour and no problem was too big for them to solve (we are quite fussy). They made us feel like we were the most important to them. We worked well together and there wasn’t a single day of the build that there was no-one (builder or subtrade) on site. They ended up completing almost two months ahead of programme,” says Phil. 

The exterior cladding of vertical wide shiplap cedar and locally sourced schist blends with the natural environment so that, despite its modern lines, the home appears as if it has always been there.

The couple love the location which, at just three kilometres from Wanaka, is close enough to pop in for a meal and far enough away to feel like a private retreat with uninterrupted starscapes at night. 

A private retreat with uninterrupted starscapes

“Living within the farm, being able to observe farm life happen around us is great. The layout of the house means that it can function effectively whether we have just the family there, or a crowd of people either visiting or staying over. We particularly enjoy the openness of the main pavilion and the ability to open up the house to the courtyards and barbecue, so that everyone can be included whether cooking in the kitchen, slow cooking beef short-ribs on the barbecue or just chilling by the fire or the pool,” says Phil. 

Clean lines and materials selected with a discerning eye have delivered an elegant interior, punctuated with eye-catching design features such as the copper freestanding bath, lacquered blackwood cabinetry and decorative black and white bathroom tiles. A double-sided fireplace between the living and dining areas creates a cosy atmosphere in both spaces.

SUBLIME SURFACES The kitchen fitted by B & M Joinery blends with the earthy textures throughout the home.

SUBLIME SURFACES The kitchen fitted by B & M Joinery blends with the earthy textures throughout the home.

Now enjoying the comforts of their home, Phil and Rosie are hard pressed to say which are their favourite features.

“The house flows so well. We like the main pavilion with views both towards the mountains to the north and to the Criffell Range to the south. The internal courtyard and outside fire is great all year round. Sitting in the bath looking out over snow-capped mountains is hard to beat.”

“We are delighted with the results that the Christie Brothers team were able to achieve.”

INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT

BUILDER
Christie Brothers Building
027 530 7188
christiebrothersbuilding.co.nz

ARCHITECT
RTA Studio Architects
09 360 3313
rtastudio.co.nz

LANDSCAPING
Wanaka Landscapes
03 443 1560
landscapingwanaka.nz

KITCHEN JOINERY
B & M Joinery
03 265 2077
bmjoinerycromwell.co.nz

STEEL ENGINEERING
Templeton Engineering
03 443 7901
templetonengineering.co.nz

WINDOWS AND DOORS
Reids Joinery
03 489 5168

What a transformation!

What a transformation!

In the right light

In the right light