RIVER HOUSE
Aw Architects
ARCHITECTS
AW Architects
DESIGN TEAM
Andrew Watson, Prue Johnstone, Altaire Mandell
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Henry Blakely Landscapes
PHOTOGRAPHS
Lisa Gane
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Quoin, Brett Gilmore, Isabel Mclernon
AREA
256 m²
YEAR
2020
CATEGORY
Houses
LOCATION
Christchurch, New Zealand
Text description provided by architect.
Tucked down a long driveway lined with established trees that opens out onto Wairarapa Stream lies River House.
The owners had inhabited the original house on the property for generations, and after earthquake damage decided to build a new home that took advantage of the unique riverside environment.
The new home presents itself as two distinct gable forms connected via a small glazed entrance.
The main wing and deck facing the stream is perched above the ground on piles to allow for potential floodwater to flow underneath.
The second wing is offset creating a private north facing courtyard and garden.
Landscape features bring a sense of the waterway into the house, with a rill located in between the two gable forms.
The linear forms are broken up with carefully articulated openings to capture the natural surroundings, while a series of sliding timber shutters are used for privacy and sun shading. Cedar cladding and river stone gabion baskets were used.
Black steel roofing contrasts the natural cedar while a small concrete wing forms the service side of the house.
