By Mackit Architecture
Standing in the kitchen of this 4-bedroom home on the outskirts of Greytown, you would be forgiven for thinking you were in the middle of the countryside. In actual fact, this home sits amongst a 25-lot subdivision.
Orientation was key for the design of this family home.
The owners had secured one of the best sites, on the northern edge of the subdivision. As such, the guiding principle for the design was ensuring that the beautiful rural outlook was celebrated, and neighbouring properties hidden from view where possible. This was achieved by a clever split-level T shape design, carefully positioned on the section to focus on the lush green fields and stunning views to the Tararua ranges.
The cleverly designed floor plan incorporated all of the client’s
requirements efficiently and practically. The front rectangle of the house, running west to east across the site, consists of a double garage, entrance, 3 bedrooms (including the master and ensuite), and a family bathroom.
A hallway and stairs lead to the second rectangle of the house, running south to north, and consisting of a 4th bedroom or study, a media/TV room, and the open plan kitchen, living and dining space. The change in roof height means the lower rectangle benefits from high ceilings and skylights down the main hallway. This contributes towards achieving a key design requirement of ‘light and bright’. The simple act of elevating the rear of the house allows the eye to be drawn over neighbouring fences to the ranges in the distance.
This home was built by one of our trusted colleagues, Dawes Construction.
James Mackie is an architectural designer, predominantly (but not exclusively) servicing the Wellington/Wairarapa region out of his busy Greytown design office. He founded his company Mackit Architecture in 2008, with a goal to fill the niche for bespoke modern homes that can be built efficiently and precisely.
Being a registered designer with Architectural Designers New Zealand and a Licensed Building Practitioner in both design and carpentry, James has a unique edge when it comes to designing homes for discerning clients. Through the application of both his building and design knowledge, he can bridge the gap between complex high-level design and the practical reality of its construction.
Inspired by the effect the built environment has on one’s self, James loves opportunities to enrich existence by creating high quality, beautifully designed spaces. Crucially, James’ incredible building knowledge also means that his plans are always expertly detailed and thought out – essentially he has already built the house in his head during the design process.