Peep house
Due to its location down a long narrow driveway, the design of this central city home came with the potential to exclude itself and the owners from the community. Peeping out from behind the front building, Peep House provides character and connection to its neighbourhood, and privacy from within, thanks to its main design feature - a fully glazed polycarbonate gable. The lightweight nature of this feature is further accentuated by light at night, and the heavy ground floor plinth and cantilevered first floor at the entry and outdoor living area.
Q This site was subdivided off an existing home, what was that process like?
A (Brett) I still pinch myself that we managed to get such a perfect site in the central city. We had all but given up when we stumbled across this property, but being a tight site and with an auction looming we called Mitchell. He dropped tools and said he was confident he could fit what we required on the rear of the property, so off we went to auction and walked away with a home and future site... it was probably the most stressful part of the entire project.
(Mitchell) Knowing that the future site would offer minimal opportunities for street presence due to its location behind an existing home, we knew that if they were successful at auction we would need a creative solution to connect their new home to the neighbourhood. This is where the idea for the softly lit front room came from.
Q Special attention to the layout of this building helped with privacy and planning restraints, what increased the feeling of spaciousness?
A (Mitchell) To make this jam-packed home feel much larger than it is, we started with the maximum allowable building form and cut chunks from it to create spaces for natural light to enter the home. The largest chunk, a central glazed section above the stairwell and upstairs hallway, accentuates the main circulation space and ensures light reaches deep into the building from all angles while still maintaining privacy.
Downstairs has corner butting surface sliders that open to create a semi-enclosed outdoor living area that extends right to the boundary - ultimately doubling the amount of living space. When open, these doors create shelter from the cold easterly and stop the wind tunnel effect created by the built up neighbourhood making this a usable space in most Christchurch weather.
Upstairs has an extra sense of spaciousness from its high skillion ceilings and light from the central roof windows and large skylights.
Q Privacy and respect of their neighbours was important to Kat and Brett, how was this achieved on a site that is closely surrounded by two storey homes?
A (Mitchell) It is all about directing view lines to the right places both inside and outside of the home. While important in all homes, Peep House required extra attention in this area.
The semi-opaque nature of the polycarbonate cladding used in the front room means it is fully private, even from its closest neighbours. Instead, views from this and other upstairs rooms are directed skywards. Downstairs windows are set back from the boundaries and view out to mini courtyards and water features.
Q How important is the selection and use of materials in this home?
A (Brett) Having maintained an early 1900s weatherboard bungalow with large areas of lawn and garden for 27 years, building a low maintenance home was a big goal for us. We wanted to use permanent materials as much as possible and keep away from exterior painted surfaces.
(Mitchell) For these reasons, Colorsteel tray and Rockcote Cerano were selected as exterior claddings, and an insulated polished concrete ground floor was chosen for its durability and to increase the feeling of the heavy plinth. The careful detailing of the heavy Cerano base helps to accentuate the lightweight, floating feeling of the top floor. The Cerano then continues inside and draws you into the heart of the home. It is a very simple, but impactful selection of materials.
(Kat) Weekend time is now spent doing more of the things we enjoy as we no longer have a high maintenance property.
Q What was the process like?
A (Brett) This is the first build we have been involved in. We had been told that it can be stressful, but in our case the process was a thrill from start to finish.
Mitchell and his team welcomed us right into the process, and in many ways we felt like part of the team rather than a client. It was always important to us to enjoy the process and work with people who cared about our project, and that is what we managed to get.
(Mitchell) Brett and Kat were integral to the process. Due to cost escalations, we worked together to redesign their home to their budget - and we achieved this while staying true to the original design intent.
Q What do you enjoy most about your home?
A (Brett) I love the light and how it changes the mood and feel both during the day and at night. I also love the perfect use of the space... there is not a square metre of space that is not well utilised both inside and out.
(Kat) I love the privacy aspect as it is quiet and tranquil with all the benefits of living close to the city. I feel very safe and secure in my home which was very important to me. Also, the amount of storage to hide things away as I like a clutter free home.
(Mitchell) For us, the polycarbonate front room is not only key to this home's connection to the street and privacy, but it is an adaptable space that is a luxury not often seen in central city dwellings. Downstairs, we love that the balustrade doubles as a kennel for their much loved dogs.
Recognition
ADNZ New Home between 150m² and 300m² National Finalist
ADNZ Kaitiakitanga National Finalist