motueka quay

the first project built from my design is a small studio guest building and attached workshop that served as a home base while the main house was built.  

please note all images, drawings and design remains the copyright of wyatt design - above the elevations where different colour combinations were explored electronically

Drawings link:

background design

the 2 stages allowed the family to use the site while the main house was designed and built.  the location is motueka, new zealand a town near nelson at the top of the south island.  the models below show the studio building and the wooden form model is the main house.  the studio was designed to reflect the different individual parts of the small building while clearly differentiating it from the main house building to give the studio a sense of being a permanent and historical part of the site.   

design concept

the main house has two distinct parts that are split by a glazed atrium space that brings light and warmth into the heart of the house.  two storey neighbouring buildings on each side and the narrowness of the site make this approach a good solution. 

the two parts of the house share a pitched roof form while the two storey front part and small roof overhangs reflect the heritage of the tobacco drying sheds that are still dotted over this area (tall corrugated iron structures).  motueka was the only part of new zealand designated for growing tobacco but more recently it has become uneconomic to grow it here.  the concrete elements are a reminder of the nearby takaka hill where rocky outcrops punch through the ground.  a strong contrast and interaction of these hard and heavy concrete forms versus the light weight construction of corrugated iron are key themes.  the simplicty of the forms are combined and together they interact in a complex way.  stained cedar is added to provide natural warmth and to soften the industrial materials of steel and concrete. 

there are strong horzontal lines to the house with the colorsteel cladding and cedar timber cladding and it contrasts with the vertical concrete elements that rise out from the ground.

careful attention was paid to balancing the elements visually.  the exploration of simple forms coming together in interesting ways is an aspect that was especially pleasing in this design.

the rear part of the site is lifted above the ground with sprawling decks providing outdoor living space.  there is a lightness to this part of the house that contrasts with the thick and heavy walls of the front part and this lighter rear section swings away from being parrallel to the boundry with the connecting atrium working like a hinge.  this gives the building a dynamic feeling and the form is orientated to the view of the mt arthur range of mountains in the distance.

the front form addresses the street and sea views with the rear section bringing in the mountains that surround motueka.

a library annex and entry wall and courtyard complete the design and provided a barrier to the private space in behind the house while allowing a framing view out to the tidal estuary beyond the front gate.

stage 1: studio

the studio (workshop, guest sleepout and bathroom) and hobby shed sit in the corner of the long narrow site. 

cedar window surrounds soften the aluminium joinery and a hand plastered finish gives it a rustic and permanent feel in contrast to the main building which has a more modern and crisp feel.  a mix of roof forms defining the different functions of this small building.  doors from the workshop lead out to the tiled work area.

stage 2: main house

the main house was constructed 3 years after stage 1.  it was a labour only run contract and construction took place over a 10 month period a resource consent was granted by the tasman district council before the district scheme was changed.  this allowed a two storey design (in keeping with the neighbouring two storey buildings).  design and construction were kept in the family with the clients nephew in charge of building the scheme. 

the drawings shown above are from the resource consent application.

building design

the site looks out to great views to each end of its narrow site.  one end to distant mountains and the other looking out to a tidal estuary

the building was always conceived to take advantage of this, with the sea in front and the mountains behind.  views through the entire length of the house can be divided off with sliding screens with an atrium space providing circulation, a hinge to the design and a valuable heat sink for this passive solar building.

the plan is divided into two with the atrium space in the middle acting as a hinge.  this separates lounge from kitchen and dining areas - a requirement from the clients.  the lounge is flexible enough to become a living area useable everyday making a separate formal lounge unnecessary.  a quiet library space off to the side of the lounge is very intimate and cosy for quiet time and reading

the brief stipulated a building which is efficient in its use of space so that it is intimate enough for a couple to use on a daily basis and yet flexible to allow guests and functions to be held.  it is a small floor area which means less cleaning but the higher 2.7m ceiling heights and its variation and the use of wide sliding door appertures makes this a building which feels so much bigger than its floor area suggests

the garage is used as a barrier to shield against the large two storey neighbouring house that is very close to the boundary.  when inside you are not aware of this large neighbour and sunlight comes in at each end via the atrium in the afternoon or the front windows in the morning.

concrete block and concrete slab construction allow the building to remain at a constant temperature in summer and winter with only a small amount of additional heating required for winter use.  in summer skylights open to allow stack effect (the drawing in of cool air to replace hot air which vents through the roof top skylights in the atrium)

the construction sectional drawing here is through the front part of the house and the plan is from this same area

 the last project i drew completely by hand with ink and draughting film - a long process but also very satisfying

finished building photos

the photos following show the completed project with the first four showing lounge exterior, kitchen and sliding door.

a successful project and happy clients and a relieved son!

above: entrance door and library window

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