River Terrace

Surrounded by farmland and rural lifestyle development the site is situated upon the narrow crest of a gently sloping ridge line of the river terrace. This promontory was formed by the Wairoa River and overlooks floodplains, wetlands and directly north, the landmark Te Nīkau Pā (Clevedon Scenic Reserve). A natural landmark and significant to Ngai Tai ki Tamaki who are the original inhabitants of the maunga Te Nikau Pā.

The site and surrounding landforms were carved by the Wairoa River over millennia as it made its meandering journey from the Hunua Ranges 7km to the north east to the coast, thus called the river terraces. The landforms respond to the push and pull of the Wairoa.

It is an amazing opportunity as an architect to take on the role of client and developer. Affording complete control over the development of the site, taking it from bare grassland to a dwelling that embeds in the landscape through expansion of the existing wetlands, and extensive native and exotic planting.

The thinking was that we would back my skills and experience as an Architect, and Robert’s horticultural knowledge, skills and passion for planting. It was also an opportunity to put into practice the training i have undertaken over the past few years around regenerative design and a chance to utilise modelling and sustainability rating tools.

The intention of the design of the dwelling and landscaping was to respond to the echo of the Wairoa River. The form of the building was guided by the topography and outlook. The approach and entry are on the south with bedrooms and living strung out along the articulated east elevation. The passage running from north to south provides slot views of the flood plain eastward, following the path of the Wairoa. The passage also serves as a gallery. The garage, bathrooms & laundry and are to the west and are arranged to create a sheltered service court, screened from the neighbouring house site by the totara hedging. The passage culminates in the open plan living spaces with the dominant view being of maunga Te Nikau Pā (Clevedon hill).

The future owner was unknown so the brief needed to provide adaptability. The dwelling is set up as 3 bedroom with a second lounge/media room that can be converted to a fourth bedroom or home office.

Universal design principles have been followed so with minor adaptions the dwelling can be made accessible to people of all abilities at any stage of life.