This holiday house is on a steep site in Queen Charlotte Sound. The clients wanted to replace an existing A-frame building that had served them for many years with a new holiday home that would respond better to the dynamic views, wildly varying weather conditions and a growing extended family.

The design is shaped by the things that the clients and their extended family had found most important about the site, and the way their family dynamics had evolved when on holiday together over the years. The main outdoor space is located at the rear of the building, protected from the often strong sea breeze. The casual entry straight into the open plan main room keeps the simplicity and feel of a holiday house, as does the tight little staircase, open bunkroom, and exposed timber sun screens.

The house is designed to be energy efficient with correct orientation, shading fins and LED lighting throughout.

Photographer: John-Paul Pochin