Designing a new home to sit right on
the shoreline brings its own challenges,
and this project was no exception.
The waterfront home, designed and
built by Fowler Homes Nelson, replaces
an older house that was long past its
use-by date. Manager Lisa Stevenson says
the new house needed to fit in with the
landscape, and it had to sit mostly within
the original footprint.
“It was not only essential to maximise
the great views across to Rabbit Island, but
also to provide extensive decking so the
owners could relax outdoors. To this end,
we created a central living volume that
opens to decks on both sides. If an onshore
breeze is blowing, the owners can use the
sheltered deck at the rear, which is where
we placed the swimming pool. With large
glass sliders front and back, the owners
can still enjoy the water views – there is a
sightline right through the house.”
The cladding is also a design response
to the location. Colorsteel corrugated iron
in New Denim Blue wraps around the
two bedroom wings on either side of the
Above left and top: Nestled among the trees on
the shoreline at Mapua, this new home blends
seamlessly with the natural environment. The
house, designed and built by Fowler Homes
Nelson, features a central, cedar-clad living area,
with the bedroom wings on either side clad in
New Denim Blue Colorsteel corrugated iron.
Above: A second, sheltered deck at the rear of the
house incorporates a swimming pool. The glass
sliding doors are positioned to allow a view right
back through the house to the water beyond.