Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/4 | Page 10

Private lives
This new home effectively turns its back to the street, but at the rear
a light-filled pavilion opens up to a leafy alfresco living area
It’s rare to find a perfect building site in
a sought-after, established neighbourhood
in the city. But when you do, it can be a
real treasure, which consequently requires
a fitting design response.
This new family home, designed by
architect Paul Leuschke, takes its cue from
the older character homes in the street, but
adds a modern twist.
“Council regulations determined the
house needed to have a pitched roof and
weatherboards – it needed to fit in with
the surrounding properties,” Leuschke

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says. “However, we were able to provide
our own interpretation of these elements.”
The house, on a corner site, was
designed as two linked pavilions. The
first pavilion, clad in black-stained cedar
weatherb oards, accommodates the entry,
guest suite, casual living area and garage.
“Essentially, the house turns its back to
the street,” says the architect. “There are
Preceding pages and these pages: Black-framed
dormer windows on this modern house are a nod
to tradition. They feature composite aluminium.

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no windows on this south elevation, apart
from the front door. And the garage door,
is flush with the walls, so it appears to
vanish from sight.”
But the front elevation is not devoid
of interest. The vertical cedar boards are a
textural mix of different widths; and the
walls leading to the recessed front door
are angled – Leuschke says it’s a welcoming gesture that draws people into the
space. The glazed entry also helps, providing tantalising glimpses right through
both pavilions to the garden beyond.