Let me entertain you
A home designed for fun and family, right on the waterfront in Akaroa, Banks Peninsula.
WORDS Cassie Doherty PHOTOGRAPHY David Straight
On the bay in Akaroa, on Banks Peninsula, you’ll find Daly’s Wharf. It’s a popular site for a photo
opportunity, with its picturesque jetty and historic octagonal wooden structure sporting a distinctive orange turret roof. And in the background of those idyllic Instagram posts, you’ll often catch a glimpse of this family home, designed by architecture and interior design studio Pac Studio.
It’s an eye-catching building, with its lengthy facade making the most of its long, narrow site close to the water.
But despite its visually prominent position, says director Aaron Paterson of Pac Studio, it’s designed to sit well within its environment. “It takes the full length of the property, looking out over the water and to the northwest. The idea was to break it up into a series of gabled forms that mirrored the typology of the heritage buildings in Akaroa, to diminish the overall scale of the house.”
It has a dynamic facade and roofline with multiple gables, balconies that variously protrude and recede, and sliding screens. The pops of orange on the sharply angled skylights are a reference to that shelter on Daly’s Wharf. Durable materials such as the steel and concrete reflect the ruggedness of the surroundings, while the dark cedar cladding changes and patinas to match its coastal locale. “It gets a little bit weathered, and looks good for it.”
There’s plenty of glass to capture the views. “But it feels like a very solid building,” says Aaron. “That’s what I like about the house. It’s not a glass box, it’s an articulated form.”
The house was intended as an intergenerational gathering point for family and friends, with a bach-like feel. “They wanted a really family-focused home that was close to the water, that could accommodate a lot of people that would descend on the house for dinners and barbecues.”
To counter the rustic exterior, the interiors are kept light. “It’s a calm interior, and it feels very natural with the whitewashed timber. It’s a simple palette that’s informal, beachy and not overly fussy.”
The internal flow adds to that breezy feeling. The living area inhabits a double- height space, with two sets of wide doors that can open at the front to the water or to a sheltered courtyard behind. Upstairs, a walkway crosses above the living pavilion, a link to the master bedroom. The house has four bedrooms, a media room, a double garage and a boat shed. The sunlight and a variety of views are cleverly captured throughout.
“The light that runs through the space is wonderful,” says Aaron. “The interior circulation is actually quite complex for a relatively simple structure. You’re always looking through spaces into other spaces, with a lot of vantage points. Especially when you’ve got a full house, people pop into sight in different places. The kids like running up the stairs and across the balcony; there’s just a lot of fun in the circulation.”
Aaron is most proud that the aims of the homeowners have been realised. “They wanted a family home where people could gather, and they say it has become that for them. So that’s nice to hear.”
pacstudio.nz
peterfell.co.nz
xteriorscapes.nz
