Four Gables House

“Greytown is experiencing a boom of residential development and this site—part of a new residential development on land that was once orchards—is typical of the generous, flat, suburban sections that are being created adjacent to established neighbourhoods,” says Architectural Designer Mike Holmes.

“The clients asked for a four-bedroom family home, incorporating open-plan living coupled with spaces to retreat to, along with sheltered outdoor living that provided good connection to the generous backyard. High on the list was a clean, crisp, modern aesthetic.

“In response, Four Gables is a simple building elevated through careful planning, attention to detail, composition and form. The four gables, generated by the H plan, each present a unique architectural response—flush garage doors, exaggerated verticality and structural portal frames—but are unified through the arresting white exterior colour scheme, wing wall detailing and asymmetry. The plan is configured with the living and entrance wing to the west and master bedroom/garage to the east, with both connected via the guest bedroom wing and corridor overlooking a landscaped courtyard.”

Vertical fibre-cement and shiplap forms the basis of the gabled pavilions, with stained cedar weatherboards providing the horizontal offset of the linking element. The crisp, white painted finish complements the stained timber accents, which provide visual interest and are easily accessible for any ongoing maintenance.

“The purity of the exterior form and detailing is continued with the interior scheme, balancing a refined white palette with oak and cedar finishes. Cedar screening at the entrance directs guests to the open plan living while providing privacy to the study area, which then connects to a more private lounge/TV room.

“Consolidated together in the western pavilion, the living spaces are a collection of multifunction, open-plan rooms, creating distinct functionality while allowing for connection and retreat, simultaneously. The kitchen/dining space also accommodates a sitting room in front of a built-in fire. Privacy and a sense of retreat has been created for the lounge/TV room and study by wrapping these spaces around a service's core comprising scullery and bathroom.”

Similarly, separation for the master bedroom from the living spaces was achieved with the interconnecting bedroom wing while maintaining good visual connection to the living spaces and sheltered internal courtyard/garden.

The connection from indoor to outdoor living is seamless with a large stacking slider that opens at the external corner, dissolving the division between inside and out, along with a level threshold that connects the large covered living space that terraces down to the lawn and is covered with a large gabled void extruded from the main roof.

Mike says a significant floodpath over 50 per cent of the site was a major consideration at the design phase, requiring considered modelling of the building’s placement and floor levels. The home is highly insulated with Mammoth polyester insulation and the north-facing spaces have generous eaves and overhangs to passively manage solar gain.

“Much of the success of the project comes down to the generous, well-planned programme that incorporates four bedrooms, flexible living spaces, large attic storage and well connected outdoor living, making for a comfortable family home for multiple versions of family life across multiple generations.

“Full credit should also be given to the client for promoting the clean white exterior scheme, which complements the simple gabled forms and has been offset with vertical cladding at various widths and horizontal cedar elements connecting the two gabled pavilions.

“Likewise, the builders—Totem Construction—have beautifully executed this simple vision resulting in a functional family home with striking architectural identity and presence.”

Words by: Justin Foote
Photography by: André Vroon Photographer