Kataraina's Forest House.

Right from the start our clients started planting native trees and shrubs, and have planted over a 1000 since. 90 of them are “named trees”- planted by friends and relatives over the years.

The owners have studied the land for many years before building a permanent home on it. They have a great understanding of how to take full advantage of the land. The brief we got was very clear, and put the bar very high. The main goal was to create a warm house which maximizes the views over the farmland and all the way around to the native bush.

The house site is elevated and exposed to the elements on most sides. To solve the contradicting design issues this creates we decided to split the house into two separate wings, connected by a small corridor. The two buildings provide shelter from each other, and the extra facade made it possible to open up more to various sides. Creating both shelter and unobstructed views. The design of the house is an uncomplicated shape with a very compact layout, so that the main focus of the house is on its surroundings. When all the slider doors are opened the living space becomes a huge in-door / outdoor area. The flow is so seamless that even the birds don’t notice the difference. The fantails often flutter happily through the living area.

If the wind or sun becomes a problem there’s always another place with shelter, overlooking another part of the property.

The bedroom wing houses two bedrooms, a bathroom/laundry, separate toilet, mudroom and carport. These are the more private rooms, with the ‘back door’ entrance via the carport. The main entry is in the glass connector between the two buildings, and draws the visitor almost immediately outside onto the covered deck ‘room’. Or right towards the second wing, the (warm) hearth of the house.

An important part of the brief was to create a warm and durable house that will withstand the test of time. The house is founded on a fully insulated concrete slab, the concrete is left exposed on the interior for maximum heatsink. Oversized timber framing has been used for the exterior walls with double the code required insulation. These walls deliver the much needed protection against the cold weather, heavy rains and gusty wind on this exposed site. Metal cladding provides for a low maintenance exterior, with features of Larch timber cladding to soften the looks of the building a little.