The overtly contemporary presentation of this expansive four-bedroom, three-bathroom home on a private, rear section offers an intriguing series of spaces enclosed within a sculptured grouping of stacked rectilinear forms overlooking the leafy surrounds of Wairarapa Stream.
Influenced by the floating glass and steel form of Farnsworth House, the exposed steel poles and vast glazing offer a distinctive parallel to Mies van der Rohe’s 1951 modernist masterpiece–with a captivating contemporary overture. The interiors are an expression of grounded elegance: the tonal rhythm capturing a palette of warm champagne hues, bronze accents and restorative neutral pairings.
Urban expanse
This private inner-city home presents an expansive, four-bedroom, three-bathroom private sanctuary on the banks of the Wairarapa Stream set in park-like surrounds of lush planting. Located on a rear section, this home makes the most of its setting. Upon arrival, the stacked, sculptural form presents a contemporary rhythm–an intriguing, private face gives little away. Vertical timber cladding is broken with just one window allowing for complete privacy. Step up to the entry and a sheltered canopy is formed by the cantilevered upper level.
Inside, the experience changes with vast walls of glazing and dark steel joinery, creating a pavilion-like impact and the sense of this home existing within the garden rather than as a separate entity.
Unfolding over two storeys, the public, entertaining areas are housed on the lower-level opening to the garden, while the private areas occupy the upper storey offering a secluded retreat.
Enduring elegance
Taking cues from modernist classics, this architectural language presents an undeniable nod to the mid-century with its stacked forms and linearity. Architect Case Ornsby describes the design as embodying a connection to the stream and surrounding landscape.
“The timber and glass form sits delicately over the site, acting as a conduit to the external flora. The use of darker tones and natural materials aid in reducing the bulk and scale, ensuring that the built form does not overwhelm the site. Timber screens filter light and views, and provide visual continuity of the intention to commingle the natural environment and built form.”
Interior Luxury
Each moment in this home of grand intentions is carefully curated to deliver a cohesion between spaces.
The tonality of the exterior cladding, finished in a warm, deep brown oil, wraps inside with a lighter-toned neutral palette of soft, earthen tones.
An Italian Poliform kitchen presents the perfect touch of luxury, while the materiality delivers an elegant rhythm of warm champagne hues, bronze accents and restorative neutral pairings. Natural wool carpets underfoot give way to tiled bathrooms–envisioned as calming retreats for daily ritual–while bedrooms frame views of the natural landscape that unfolds beyond.