Richard Middleton of Architects: Novak+Middleton was commissioned by his clients to design a house for a historic site south of Waikanae. The site, which is called Te Rama, is in a rural setting and drops down to the Waikanae river valley and on to the Kāpiti Coast beyond.

Te Rama translates as torchlight, and refers to when local Māori used to light fires there to guide canoes in safely from Kāpiti Island. The site has strong characteristics, with established gardens, a swimming pool, a grass tennis court and a protected native reserve running along the northern side. There were also a number of sheds and a cottage that the clients had been living in on the site, a large protected tree, and an old dairy building (where butter would once have been made).

The site was home to an original homestead that was destroyed by fire in 1996. Middleton’s clients purchased the site after this and wanted the new house to reflect the history of the site and to sit comfortably in its well established environment. According to Middleton, all of the existing features of the site and its long history were a critical part of the approach to the new house.

Middleton wanted to create a house that was a series of layers connecting the garden, native reserve, tennis court, pool, and the utility spaces.

The house is located in the position of the original homestead. This decision was reached after much consideration because it allows the best opportunity for the house to be connected to the reserve, garden and tennis court.

Middleton describes the plan as a composition of void spaces and solid spaces. This balance of solidity and lightness reflects the past and the present. The two storey wing of the house represents a traditional solidity that is expressed in the use of stone facades and deeply inset windows. Two single storey wings, running north and west, complement the anchoring wing and give the house a light and layered look.

The entry to the house is from the southwest side. The garage sits further up the site next to the small cottage, so the new house has a light, timber screened carport at the entry. A heavy pivoted entry door opens onto a long gallery space and through to the living space beyond. The gallery hallway leads to a bedroom and bathroom on the east, and another two bedrooms and bathroom on the west side. The master bedroom, en suite, dressing room and study are on the second storey.

The living wing is a long, light space that balances the weight of the entry wing with use of timber, glass and large overhangs. It is made up of a large, open plan kitchen, dining and family room. A fireplace at the north end of the room creates a dividing wall. On the other side of this wall is a living room that has three walls of floor-to-ceiling glazing. This room is cantilevered out beyond the foundation and floats out towards the green bush reserve.

The living areas were oriented to make the most of the opportunities the site provided. The open plan room opens up completely on both the east and west. Large terraces on either side step down to the garden and extended canopies provide shelter and a strong visual connection between inside and out. On a hot summer’s day the room can be opened right up to create a cross-flow of air.

This house sits as gracefully on the site as the clients hoped it would. Middleton’s thoughtful use of materials and composition of the plan have created a timeless and elegant family home.

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Note: These are stories from our archives and, since the time of writing, some details may have changed including names, personnel of specific firms, registration status, etc.