All about the views
The owner of this Dunedin property wanted a warm, lowmaintenance home that maximised the views. Kim Dungey reports.
PRESENTED with a concept for a singlestorey house, the owner of this property fetched a step ladder, asked his architectural designer to climb it and told him, ‘‘That’s where the first floor’s got to be.’’
A Ravensbourne resident for more than 40 years, the man was determined to capture sun and views. When sitting in the living area, he wanted to see over the roofs of neighbouring houses, out to the sparkling waters of Otago harbour.
The end result is a tall, glassfronted house that — as requested — delivers sweeping views up, down and across the harbour.
Favouring a simple form, Cameron Grindlay, of Dwelling Architectural Design, drew what is essentially a cube, but with a twopart monopitch roof to allow northern sunlight in and window joinery recessed into the walls to provide depth and interest.
The layout is organised across three levels, with a bedroom, bathroom and garage on the ground floor and living spaces on the middle level. A bedroom and ensuite are on the mezzanine, which could easily be extended if the owner wants to add a third bedroom in the future.
The central staircase defines the internal spaces and the second flight features open treads, metal mesh and a glass balustrade to ensure light and views are not compromised.
Recognised in the OtagoSouthland Architectural
Design Awards late last year, the interior combines robust materials with precision craftsmanship.
The stairs were made from a single piece of rimu felled in the Catlins more than 50 years ago; the steel handrail was sandblasted, then left outside to rust.
Exposed steel beams, painted to match the handrail, show the ‘‘bones’’ of the building and how it was constructed.
In keeping with the semiindustrial feel, the floors are polished concrete, the base of the coffee table is made from beer crates and the stainless steel kitchen island is a large tool trolley bought at a hardware store.
An absence of hallways and an abundance of sliding doors mean that no space in the 130sq m home is wasted.
The owner wanted materials that would require little upkeep. Plywood is used throughout the interior and decks are made of a composite material. The exterior cladding consists of prefinished colorsteel and cement board panels.
The low maintenance, thermally efficient property is a big change from the 1914 villa that he has lived in since 1977.
The triple glazing was ‘‘the price of a normal house’’, but only 15% more than double glazing, the keen musician and sailor says. The 240mmthick walls are ‘‘superinsulated’’. On warmer days, sunlight entering the home is controlled by motorised blinds and highopening windows allow cooling, crossventilation.
The insulated concrete floors provide thermal mass and have inslab heated water pipes powered by a heat pump. The home also has a warm roof construction, with insulation laid over the top of the roof deck, on top of a vapour control layer.
After a long, sometimes challenging, build, the owner is pleased to see the project completed.
‘‘The house is pleasant to be in. Music sounds fabulous in it. And it’s a nice place to get together with friends.’’
The Dunedin businessman says he enjoys the views and the proximity of the harbour.
‘‘Everybody poopoos Ravensbourne, but I’ve loved it.
‘‘It’s a great community . . . and the number of new houses going up here is amazing.’’