Description:

When the Kaikoura Quakes damaged their 1980’s Fraemohs farmhouse our clients needed a replacement.

Nested against one of the many rolling hills in Cheviot, the existing three-bedroom dwelling, commissioned by the owners when starting out as a couple, offered vaulted ceilings, a veranda along its length, entry between the house and a generous garage, as well as a northern deck with wind shelter.

The brief was to build on these successes, plus create a shed for the quadbike. The design needed to function as a farmhouse to a working sheep farm in a very windy location.

In visiting the damaged house, an obvious opportunity was the beautiful and expansive view over the hill country to the west, but with it could come challenges of overheating. We also felt the deck needed a roof, echoed by the farmer who, at the end of a day outside, did not want more exposure.

Planning
A simple lawn pavilion, housing living areas and two bedrooms, was positioned along the same axis as the original dwelling. We replicated the veranda, this time with no posts to obstruct the view.

In response, the garage and open shed are laid perpendicular, with access to the house via the laundry serving as mudroom. Remaining spaces fall under a low linking roof as if the space between the garage and house had been filled in.
A private ensuite and walk-in-robe-pop-up at the back of the master bedroom complete our ensemble.

Aesthetics
With no direct architectural context, we sought to emulate the seemingly unintentional, yet somehow successful, ad-hoc iterations of the prevalent agricultural vernacular littered in the landscape.

The galvanized steel of agricultural equipment was also something we wished to express, and did so, in the outdoor living space and chimney detailing.

Corrugated Colorsteel, used in two directions and colours, expresses varying functions of the enclosure. Within the dwelling edge, timber is used to warm the spaces with a sense of home.

Deep wall colours and vintage timber hues reinforce an eclectic aesthetic given to the interiors, compatible with the client’s fondness for restored furniture. Dark walls balance the interior light levels given by high glazing areas.

Screens
Our solution to intercept the low westerly sun is sliding screens. Formed with perforated stainless steel over a painted steel frame, each 4.5m screen can be positioned at any point along the westerly elevation. Heat can be dropped while still appreciating the view and enhancing the space with a relaxing dappled light.

Environmental
Deeper exterior timber framing and truss heel heights allow for greater levels of insulation, combined with heatpump ducted heating to reduce electricity consumption and the associated carbon footprint over time.

The steel cladding requires little maintenance and is recyclable at end of life.