Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/10 | Page 46

Preceding pages: This dramatic
open-plan living area forms part of
a lakeside residence by DeForest
Architects. Because the house is
located in a picturesque setting, the
space features full-height stacking
doors that retract to blur the lines
between indoors and out.

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A verse form with strict style constraints will
often bring out the best in a poet. And for an
architect, tight environmental restrictions can
also inspire a particularly imaginative response.
Such was the case with this new home, by
principal John DeForest and project architect
Ted Cameron of DeForest Architects. The
owners had looked at several properties in the
area before settling on a long, relatively narrow
option that offered spectacular outlooks to the
lake and mountains, says DeForest.
“The site fronted onto the lake on one side
and was bordered by a public lane. The owners

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naturally wanted their home to offer privacy on
the laneway side, and open up to the views on
the other. They also requested that the residence
be modern, but warm and welcoming, and have
strong indoor-outdoor connections.”
With the existing house on the site razed,
DeForest designed a generously sized, two-level
residence to fit neatly into the available space.
The issue of privacy from the lane was
addressed in several ways, says Cameron.
“First there are levels of separation between
the street and the large pivoting front door.
“Planting softens a staggered ipê wall, and