Black Quail House
Bannockburn, Central Otago
Connection to place is at the heart of this understated house. It evokes the continuous but evolving human settlement in the Bannockburn area in Central Otago. Here, the rusted remains of gold miners’ cottages dot a stony landscape of old mine tailings along the banks of the Kawarau River.
“It’s an intense, exposed landscape,” says architect Bergendy Cooke, “and the clients wanted a home that complemented these surroundings.”
Bergendy’s response was a house embedded in the terrain, offering protection from the harsh environment while refusing to be ostentatious. The low-lying building that emerged will become even less visible over time through the patina of its materials.
“In such an outstanding landscape it seemed right to create a sensation of anticipation, with a prolonged arrival to the main hub of the house. Intentionally, the first views through are restricted, with only glimpses through to the landscape and courtyards. This dramatises the finale, where the house opens entirely to expansive views north and below to the river gorge.”
The clients wanted a flexible home that could enfold the two of them on an intimate scale – particularly in the winter – but expand when required to house wider family and guests. This is accomplished by full-height cavity sliding doors, which can close off a hallway, guest bedrooms and bathrooms from the main living areas.
“A courtyard located to the south of the main living area provides a protected outdoor space and an opportunity to grow a lush garden for softness and contrast to the harsh environment outside,” notes Bergendy.
“Smaller courtyards to the east and west offer varying extended living scenarios to buffer the environment, while increasing the transparency throughout the building.”
This house reveals its secrets slowly, in glimpses and apertures – its living spaces changing dramatically in character as the seasons cycle. Roof overhangs reduce summer glare, but permit raking winter sun to heat the thermal mass of walls and floors.
“This site needed a substantial material not only to provide thermal mass, but also to reflect the site’s materiality. The concrete enclosure is like a poured stone, an updated version of the stone used for shelter by the early gold miners.”
“It’s an intense, exposed landscape,” says architect Bergendy Cooke, “and the clients wanted a home that complemented these surroundings.”