PEKA PEKA HOUSE I
Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects
ARCHITECTS
Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects
LOCATION
Peka Peka, New Zealand
CATEGORY
Houses
ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
John Melhuish
AREA
176.0 m2
PROJECT YEAR
2015
PHOTOGRAPHS
Jason Mann
Text description provided by architect.
On top of a hill above Peka Peka Beach sit three simple boxes with expansive views across to Kapiti Island and inland towards pine forest plantation and agricultural farmland.
There are two black-stained cedar boxes positioned to create a sheltered courtyard: one box is dedicated to living functions, the other to sleeping.
The third box, clad in profiled polycarbonate, contains the garage and workshop: at night it glows when lit from within. Combined, they form a compact house designed as a primary residence for the owners.
The design is a response to both views and climate; the latter a particularly important consideration for year-round living in such an exposed location.
The North-facing courtyard is protected from coastal winds, yet still enjoys views right through the living room towards the sea.
Timber decking surrounds the house and provides a variety of scenarios to seek shelter depending on the prevailing weather conditions.
As requested by our knowledgeable clients, the house promotes some eco values in the form of a combination of PV and solar hot water panels and above code insulation.
Their long-term ambition is to go off-grid. LED lighting throughout and exposed and insulated concrete slab as a heat store helps reduce power consumption. Natural ventilation picks up the consistent afternoon sea breezes.
