Small wonder
A tiny Queenstown home, designed by Ben Hudson Architects, punches well above its weight.
WORDS Kathy Young PHOTOGRAPHY John Williams Photography
From the street, this home reads as an understated, almost utilitarian form. But step inside and it reveals a contrasting vibe.
“From the outside it could be viewed as an urban tin and cedar shed,” says Ben Hudson, architect at Ben Hudson Architects. “But inside, it evokes the laid-back charm of a relaxed European apartment.”
The contrast – rugged without, refined within – is no accident. The home belongs to John Mathieson and his wife. John is a fellow founder and designer at Ben Hudson Architects. He grew up on an Otago farm, explains Ben, and he brought that history of timber and corrugated-clad buildings to the brief as a nod to the farm buildings that he grew up in. There’s more of an urban aesthetic applied to this design, and even the stone at the entrance is used with restraint.
Says John, “It’s intentionally quite restrained, with honest materials and straightforward forms. But there’s a subtle urban refinement to it as well. It’s not trying to be overly expressive. I like that contrast, where the exterior feels quiet and utilitarian, and then the experience of the house really opens up once you step inside.”
The site, at just 430sqm, was complicated: a corner site, an irregular shape with a taper at one end. “It was a tricky planning exercise: bounded by neighbours and street boundaries, and needing to factor in privacy,” says Ben.
John’s innovative solution was to design a 211sqm home that turns inwards, with a light-filled, north- facing courtyard that serves as the heart of the home.
“We didn’t have a huge footprint to work with, but the way the house wraps around the courtyard makes it feel so much bigger,” says John. “It’s like having an extra living room outside – one we use every day.”
Adds Ben, “Whereas a more generic response would be to place a rectangle in the centre of the section with three elevations facing fences, John chose a more inward-looking approach and wrapped the home around a small, sheltered courtyard to create an oasis hiding in plain sight, a tranquil sanctuary in the heart of a built-up environment.”
Mearns & Leckie constructed the kitchen, master wardrobe, cloak cupboard, living room media unit and living room shelves. In the kitchen is Melteca Snowdrift and Melteca Aged Ash, with Prime Panels Arc 20 panelling on the island.
The master bedroom, kitchen, dining and living areas all open directly onto this courtyard, flooding it with natural light from the north, while remaining sheltered from the street. “In the warmer months, the courtyard can function as an extra room in its own right,” says Ben. “You can walk across it, rather than around it.”
The ingenuity of this home continues internally, with John taking much of his inspiration for the design from European spatial design. “A common thread is that the rooms have spaces that flow one into the other, so that they borrow space from each other, and increase the perception of spaciousness.”
Three bedrooms, a study and a garage are all accommodated within the main house. In addition there’s a separate rental unit tucked into the corner of the plan, which also future-proofs the property as a space for a visiting parent or extended family members.
“The courtyard really is the heart of the home,” says John. “No matter where you are, you’re always connected to that light and warmth, which completely shapes how the space feels. Because everything turns inward, there’s a real sense of privacy and calm, like our own little sanctuary. It cuts out the noise and distraction of the outside world, so the whole house just feels peaceful and grounded.”
Inside, light-coloured walls bounce the natural light around the rooms, making the spaces feel much larger than their dimensions suggest. Floor-to-ceiling tiling in the bathrooms add depth and three skylights also send additional light into the home. The engineered timber floors also contribute to this effect, and handles and pulls on the kitchen cabinetry are minimised.
“The idea was to keep it clean, uncomplicated and give it that sense of harmony,” says Ben. John takes particular pride in the kitchen, which is very much a family space and has room for his prized coffee machine. The living room is another family favourite. Here, a floor-to-ceiling timber bookcase introduces a touch of warmth against the otherwise clean, quiet palette.
“It proves you don’t need a big house to live well,” says John. “The courtyard was a major driver of the design, and it’s absolutely what makes this place feel generous and complete.”
Eighteen months on from completion and the home has settled well into its site and rhythm. John and his wife, along with their young family, are delighted with the simple exterior and straightforward internal layout. It’s efficient and very liveable, and feels like home. Quietly embedded into the urban fabric, it also feels like a lesson in what’s possible when a tight brief and genuine ingenuity collide.
Involved in this project
ARCHITECT
Ben Hudson Architects
021 050 2247
benhudsonarchitect.com
JOINERY
Mearns & Leckie
03 489 2024
mearnsandleckie.co.nz
WOODEN FLOORING
Forté
0508 35 66 77
forte.co.nz
