With a 30-degree sloping site, the challenge was set for Young Architects and Hoogervorst Builders to create and build a home that was always going to be dramatic.

WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOGRAPHY Dennis Radermacher

a view that is arguably as good as any in the world

The first thing to strike you about this home is that it’s built on an incredibly steep site. It’s almost hard to imagine where to start to build a home with such a steep angle. Vehicle access, deep foundations and retaining walls all take on a different level of skill required when working on such slopes.

But of course, the reward of building such a home is the prize of dramatic views and the sense of space that comes with living on a hill.

The brief for Young Architects was very simple: to build a large family home that maximises the views and has minimal maintenance, using cost-effective building materials. But as they say, the devil is in the detail, and beyond this straightforward brief lies a sophisticated design and construction methodology that allows all the pieces of this 425 square metre jigsaw to fall into place perfectly.

“Initially, the client came to us with a collection of rooms they wanted and a picture of a concrete house they liked,” says Greg Young, Director at Young Architects. “The site is very steep, with a spectacular view, so that set up the parameters for how the rooms were to be positioned. Once we’d presented the initial conceptual design, there was just minor tweaking, testing how the rooms would be used.”

There are three primary materials used in this home: concrete, timber and glass. All three are used in different ways.

“Concrete was a necessity on the very steep, geotechnically challenging site, so we chose to embrace it,” explains Greg. “We used Firth low carbon concrete to retain the hillside, while also providing the finished wall internally. This is strong and efficient.”

SLEEK AND LIGHT The joinery in the sleek white kitchen was expertly fitted by Lyall Park Joinery who also provided joinery throughout the home.

The concrete structure is both insulated and exposed. With the building integrated into the hillside, the temperature is moderated (like a cave) while also capturing the heat from the sun within its thermal mass. As well as being very strong in an environment that is exposed to both winds and earthquakes, the concrete also requires little maintenance.

For the timber element, cedar was chosen, with different profiles used in different positions. Herman Pacific provided the timber, with a standard shiplap finish to the walls, and a variable width and depth timber to the ceiling for acoustics. Oak panelling has also been used as a backdrop, stained black. “The use of timber shuttering has achieved a raw beauty,” says Greg. “This was selected for its strong grain, and as it has been expressed onto the surface of the concrete, it gives an aesthetic that is raw and natural, like the environment it’s in.”

Uninterrupted Views

To create a stunning frameless look, the panels of this home’s Altherm Metro Series floor-to-ceiling windows are butted together without any joins. Instead, they’ve been strengthened with structural glass fins, providing uninterrupted views across the city to the Southern Alps.

Design Windows
designwindows.co.nz

With a view that is arguably as good as any in the world, glass has been used extensively throughout the home. The glazing certainly gives an expansive feel to the property. It uses a combination of different frames and installation types. “Design Windows were used for the majority of aluminium joinery work, with a commercial glass fin style used in the main living spaces, and thermally broken residential frames in the bedrooms,” says Greg. “Steel framed glazing was used in the wine cellar.”

The living spaces focus on the view, with the main elevation being 100 per cent glazed. High-performance Low-E glazing is butt jointed with glass stiffeners and a concealed perimeter frame giving a view from the Pacific Ocean, along the Canterbury Bight, over the city and Canterbury Plains, to the Southern Alps.

FLAWLESS FUNCTIONALITY Both kitchen and bathrooms in this home were designed by Ingrid Geldof Design, with ease of use and ease of living at the heart of this design.

While the walls may look dull and weathered, the concrete in the floor is full of depth and gloss, coloured and polished to give a counterpoint. The ceilings are predominantly oiled cedar, complimenting the texture of the concrete walls, and providing a much warmer aesthetic with its colour and softness.

Not all spaces are dominated by the views. A ‘withdrawing room’ has the ability to close the view, while others just have parts of the view framed. The outdoor living space also balances views and shelter, with a loggia extending into a look-out.

The challenge of carving out and constructing this home fell to Hoogervorst Builders, who tendered for the project and were delighted to win.

“There were a few challenges with a project like this, as we were working around an eight metre vertical cut hard against our site access,” says Nick Hoogervorst. “This led to temporary works being required to stabilise the lane edge.”

SKYLOUVRE SYSTEM Concertina SkyLouvres offer privacy and climate control at the touch of a button, thanks to Johnson and Couzins.

With the property spanning three levels, there were further complexities to placing this large amount of concrete in situ. “Having the right people and suppliers involved was essential,” says Nick. “It’s a pretty special location with a daring design. I gravitate towards and get excited about projects of this nature. It’s always a privilege to be involved.”

“The adversity of the build was mainly overcome by using the best contractors for the project, coordinating the programme carefully, and working very closely as a team. Having the architect and structural engineer involved was paramount to ensure challenges were closed out and details were achieved,” says Nick.

Once the building was out of the ground, the homeowners turned their attention to the interiors. From the floor up, the couple worked with Jane Swinard Design to create an interior that pushed the boundaries, flowed beautifully and represented the homeowners’ tastes.

ITALIAN STYLE TILES From concept to completion, Designastyle helped these homeowners choose the perfect set of tiles for their home.

“I’ve known the clients for many years and have worked on a number of projects with them,” says Jane Swinard.

The materials and finishes chosen reflected these tastes to perfection. “It was very much a team approach, as the homeowners had a strong sense of aesthetics, and they wanted to be involved in decisions every step of the way,” says Jane.

The large artwork on the main living room wall by Australian artist John Olsen was used as a starting point for selecting colour accents. “The yellow swivel chair from David Shaw for example, was chosen for this purpose.”

The result is a sense of timelessness with this abode, while still having an ‘edge’.

Jane explains that it was exciting to be challenged by the interior concrete finishes, working them in with the softer elements of the home, such as the timber joinery, carpet, wallpaper and fabrics. “Many of the interior choices we made were organic in nature, balancing the shuttered concrete walls and polished concrete floor,” says Jane.

Ingrid Geldof Design was involved from the outset with the design of the kitchen, laundry, wine cellar, wardrobes and barbecue area. Ingrid quickly grasped the homeowners need for a light and understated kitchen and worked carefully with the space planning to ensure the views were maximised.

“The location and the view needed to take precedent with this home,” explains Ingrid. “We wanted to provide a practical kitchen without being overbearing.” Hence the sleek white kitchen, for example, has smooth handleless cupboards and the subtle small format textured tiles on the splashback work with the dark floors and promote a convivial space.

The home is efficient, permanent, and easy to live in, with a design that focuses on being a part of its environment rather than dominating it.

Building a home on a sloping site can be a challenge but also a unique opportunity. With careful consideration and planning, this architectural home has seized the chance and constructed an outstanding home with dramatic views.