Holiday House
The Holliday House is located on a thirteen acre section set amongst the rural landscape of the Moutere Valley. The site has a north-south orientation and is gently sloping, with a large pond in the centre of the section. The property has expansive views out to rolling hills, farmland and the mountain ranges beyond.
The clients, originally from Christchurch, required a house that would suit just the two of them, as well as accommodate their adult children and extended family. In addition to the house, they required a garage/farm shed to accommodate a tractor, machinery and equipment.
A long driveway along the southern boundary leads people up to the house, with the entry being marked by a bright red entry door. The house is separated into three main wings – a guest wing, living wing and master bedroom wing, with a separate garage and workshop. The living wing opens up onto a generous northern-facing courtyard with views out over the pond to the orchards beyond. This orientation creates a sun-trap for summer living and allows for passive solar gain during winter. The guest wing can be accessed separately if required, and closed off from the main house. The master wing is a quiet sanctuary with an ensuite overlooking the pool area.
The gabled roof forms are reminiscent of the barn-like buildings dotted around the Moutere landscape, however with a modern take using dark-stained vertical cedar cladding. Internally, the material palette comprises polished concrete floors, a pitched cedar-batten ceiling, macrocarpa trusses and a fireplace made from local Lee Valley stone. Cedar shelving houses books and objects, and there are designated spaces for art, music and entertaining to suit their lifestyle. Spaces are separate but open, allowing views through to other areas and the outside.
The house sits slightly elevated above the pond and extensive landscaping allows it to settle into the land and its surroundings. It is a house which works well with the owner’s lifestyle and one they can enjoy now and into the future.
Style of house