Dorset Cove House

This family home on a steep Wellington site is a composition of simple geometric forms inserted into the hillside and held together by the strong horizontal roof plane. Assuming bulk and location of future neighbours, the house works to maximise the sun and views while maintaining a level of privacy within the subdivision. Solid cement sheet forms with punched glazed openings address the neighbouring sites. These forms then latch onto the solid concrete blockwork foundation walls. The remainder of the house is a lighter exposed steel structure with large glazed walls.

The garage and entry are placed on the lowest level so the bedrooms and living spaces are elevated to make the most of the views.

The house steps up the hill to give the rooms a connection to the exterior, and creating terraces and access to the upper levels. Where the house cuts into the slope a crib wall has been used to carve out a sheltered courtyard to the rear of the kitchen and living spaces and results in glazing on three sides of the spaces.

In the interior of the house there is a visual connection from the kitchen to the dining, lounge and family room. A bridge over the entry connects the lounge to the family room and to create a more formal entertaining space a large concealed sliding panel can be used to close off the lounge.