First Light Studio Ltd.

The Wairarapa Haybarn

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography

THE WAIRARAPA HAYBARN

First Light Studio

LOCATION
Martinborough, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Houses

AREA
205.0 m2

PROJECT YEAR
2015

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Benjamin Jagersma, Guy Marriage

MANUFACTURER
Nulook Soutions, pro clima

ENGINEER
Dunning Thornton

BUILDERS
Rigg Zschokke

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography
The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography

Text description provided by architect.

This barn-inspired home offers a striking reference to rural vernacular. Long and lean, the form is remarkably simple.

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography
The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography

A monolithic roof plane sweeps up past the large established walnut tree to form a double-height concert hall living space with mezzanine viewing gallery for the two retired musicians to practice, play and entertain friends.

The owners moved to be closer to family in Wellington but settled in the Wairarapa, wanting to make the most of the more temperate climate and beautiful sunny evenings.

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography
The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography

Their musical interest drove the design to create an acoustically, environmentally conscious and accessible home that felt compact but could effortlessly accommodate extended family.

Much like a hay barn, in this design form follows function.

The double-height roof cleverly accommodates a double garage and workshop at ground level and guest two bedroom and bathroom loft above.

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography
The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography

Adjacent to this, the open-plan kitchen / living / dining room takes advantage of the high ceiling.

To the northeast end of the house, the main sleeping quarters domestic-scaled 2.4m stud height creates more modest volumes.

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography
The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography
The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography

The terrace wraps around the eastern façade offering the perfect sheltered spot for a quiet morning coffee.

Services are efficiently oriented along the southern spine of the house, with generous laundry, kitchen, bathroom and separate WC facilities.

A highly insulated nearly airtight envelope clad in corrugated iron and shiplap redwood is practical yet warmly references the redwood groves surrounding their previous family home.

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography
The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography

The awning, a reinterpretation of the Wairarapa veranda shelters the northern façade from the hot summer sun while creating an impressive entrance.

The established Walnut became a central figure in the design, linking the outdoor and indoor dining spaces with dappled light while naturally mediating temperature in the house with its seasonal changes.

The established Walnut became a central figure in the design, linking the outdoor and indoor dining spaces with dappled light while naturally mediating temperature in the house with its seasonal changes.

The Wairarapa Haybarn
© Jason Mann Photography


The Wairarapa Haybarn
East Elevation
The Wairarapa Haybarn
West Elevation
The Wairarapa Haybarn
North Elevation
The Wairarapa Haybarn
South Elevation


The Wairarapa Haybarn
Ground Floor Plan
The Wairarapa Haybarn
Site Plan
The Wairarapa Haybarn
Mezzanine Floor Plan

First Light Studio Ltd.
T +64 4 3853789
First Light Studio Ltd.
Level 1/1/1 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand