Mark Frazerhurst Architects

Motuoapa House

Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett

MOTUOAPA HOUSE

Mark Frazerhurst Architect

ARCHITECTS
Mark Frazerhurst Architect

PROJECT TEAM
Mark Frazerhurst

PHOTOGRAPHS
Sam Hartnett

AREA
215.0 sqm

YEAR
2009

LOCATION
New Zealand

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

This new family home in Motuoapa, five minutes East of Turangi, is located overlooking the southern shores of Lake Taupo in New Zealand.

The home was designed around the concept of an enclosing courtyard entry orientated toward the views of the lake and approach to the house. The entry welcomes, draws in, and contains the occupants.

Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett
Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett
Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett

The house turns its back to a certain degree on the rest of the subdivision with a strong eastern backbone, instead focussing the spaces towards the views of the lake and the west. Overlapping planes of various tactile materials, slatted timber screens to filter sunlight,

and a materials palette which will age naturally and weather gracefully all act to complement the natural environment and respond to the local context. 

Colours and textures have been carefully selected in response to the local natural environment, to stand proud but co-exist modestly and unobtrusively in the neighbourhood.

Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett
Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett
Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett

The house was constructed on a very modest budget, but prioritises certain areas and features to give the appearance of a home which appears and performs more than the sum of it’s parts. 

The living areas and three bedrooms are contained on the upper floor, with connections to a large north-west facing private outdoor living deck.

The garage, utility areas, a sauna & spa room, and a large multipurpose recreational space with connection to an outdoor living deck are located on the ground floor level.

Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett
Motuoapa House
© Sam Hartnett

Exterior materials are repeated internally in different ways, bringing the outdoors in, and large areas of glazing further reinforce specific connections to the site, and wider context.


Motuoapa House
East Elevation
Motuoapa House
West Elevation
Motuoapa House
South Elevation
Motuoapa House
South Elevation


Motuoapa House
Ground Floor Plan
Motuoapa House
North Elevation

Mark Frazerhurst Architects
T +64 21 994858
Mark Frazerhurst Architects
Hayes Bldg Level 1/8 Teed Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1023, New Zealand