Horotiu Home, Waikato
By Oamaru Stone (Parkside Quarries)
Keith and Jo Clapson's Horotui Home in Waikato is a testament to innovative design and contemporary living in a semi-rural setting. After residing on their property for 25 years, the Clapsons embarked on a journey to replace their outdated home with a modern masterpiece. The new construction showcases a harmonious blend of materials including stack bonded Oamaru Stone, glass, Colorsteel, and stained timber, creating an eye-catching, modern aesthetic. The home is uniquely composed of three separate pods, connected by a glass walkway, featuring north-facing steel louvres for sun protection. The use of stack-bonded Oamaru Stone not only adds a clean, monochrome look but also introduces texture and depth to the exterior, framing the main entrance and contrasting beautifully against dark cedar and Colorsteel. This contemporary project skillfully addresses the challenge of heat absorption through thoughtful material selection, reflecting light to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. The Clapsons have achieved a stylish and practical living space that stands as a bold statement in rural/estate lifestyle design.
We're particularly fond of clients who dare to innovate, and Keith and Jo Clapson's remarkable new construction in Horotu, Waikato, stands as a prime illustration.
For a quarter of a century, Keith and Jo have cherished living on their semi-rural land, deeply enamoured with its breathtakingly mature garden and expansive views. However, their residence was in dire need of an overhaul, and they were uncertain if it warranted the significant investment required. After considerable contemplation, they decided to proceed, leading to the demolition of the old structure.
After years in an outdated home, the Clapsons aspired to build something striking and contemporary. Their success is evident in the use of meticulously stacked Oamaru Stone, glass, Colorsteel, and tinted timber, achieving an exceptional result.
Stack bonding is increasingly popular in New Zealand, catering to the growing demand for modern façade materials. Keith's pursuit of a pristine, monochrome look led him to invest more in our whitest stone selections. He chose Oamaru Stone for its unparalleled purity, free from any significant brown or yellow hues.
This architectural masterpiece features three distinct pods linked by a glass corridor, with the north-facing steel louvres as its crowning glory. These louvres can be closed with the simple press of a button, offering protection against the Waikato sun.
The challenge with dark exteriors is their potential to seem stark and dull without the balance of lighter materials. In the Clapson's design, the stack bonded stone frames the main entrance beautifully, contrasting with the dark cedar and Colorsteel, and highlighting each part of the house. This, along with the timber cladding, enriches the exterior's texture without overwhelming it.
It's a well-known fact that black surfaces attract heat, and with the stringent insulation standards for new constructions, this can lead to uncomfortably high indoor temperatures. This contrasts sharply with the experiences of those over 40, who recall homes without insulation where warmth came solely from an open fire, finding modern, overly insulated homes somewhat stifling.
The Clapsons have cleverly mitigated heat absorption by enveloping the exterior of the pods in stack bonded stone, which reflects rather than absorbs light. They've also extended its use inside, particularly in the entrance hall, achieving a balance of style and functionality.
