Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 32 No 6 New Zealand | Page 11

As we become increasingly aware of the negative effects our actions can have on our world, many of us are responding by wanting homes that ‘sit lightly on the land’. It’s a phrase that can encompass a number of architectural aspects – and many of those were integral to the design of this new home by Abramson Teiger Architects. Design principal Trevor Abramson says the primary goal of the project was to craft a maintenance-free home that suited the owners’ active lifestyle while respecting the natural habitat. “It’s a beautiful site that looks out over a protected nature preserve down to the valley, with mountain views beyond – so it could never be built out,” says Abramson. But it did come with zoning restrictions – it needed to be secluded from the ridgeline and hidden from the valley floor below. This, combined with the aim to maximise views, determined the position of the house on the site and its layout. “Also, the owners’ request to have no stairs, despite the sloping site, meant the house would have quite a large footprint.” Previous pages: To meet the owners’ request for a maintenance-free home, Abramson Teiger Architects specified Corten steel panels and concrete, plus a zinc roof. The guest wing – seen here on the left – is raised on concrete columns to minimise the building’s footprint on the site. Facing page: Concrete is the predominant interior material, forming the walls and floors, but is softened by stained grey Douglas fir ceilings. Above: Roll down blinds are housed in slots between concrete walls and the wood ceiling, providing privacy and sun shade when required. search | save | share at