‘THE TREEHOUSE’
Internally, materials from the demolished walls were given new life as doors, shelves, and wardrobes, and existing electrical fittings were replaced with more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternatives. And the beauty of this project was not skin deep.. the strictest standards were adhered to for everything.. from the natural and non-toxic finishes to the organic and sustainably sourced bedding.
great artwork and unique pieces are closer than you think.
From stone carved by local Maori artisans to the traditional flax woven into a bespoke light fitting and the artwork spread around the property, every piece comes together to tell a specific story about this home and the land it was built upon. Many feature pieces were created locally with upcycled material, and a new eco-friendly hot water heat pump replaced the old copper hot water cylinder, which was then repurposed into bathroom basins and mirrors!
In line with our Wabi Sabi ethos, we used naturally fallen hardwood trees from the site and stones from the local quarry to retain and define the meandering paths covered which were then topped with local gravel. By digging the paths into the sloping land, we created a place for a meditative stroll but additionally, access to the plants for maintenance as well as critical drainage. The plant selection was primarily native for ease of maintenance, punctuated with hardy ornamentals to accentuate form and add texture. The plant palette was intentionally kept simple and of towards the cooler end of the spectrum to imbue a sense of calmness and tranquility. An antique bath was placed on a constructed timber platform overlooking the adjacent bird sanctuary inviting the practice of ‘forest bathing’ - proven to reduce stress. This not only promoted a sense of relaxation but also served the practical purposes of covering the ugly septic system and minimising mosquito breeding. In reference to Maori traditional colours but also to accentuate the plants , black paint was used as an accent throughout. This was treated with special additives which prevent spiders and mould to minimise maintenance. The existing timber deck was painted with a bright green Eco-paint and finished with an Eco-lacquer - amplifying the green of the forest. The ‘upcycled’ feature pot at the bottom of the stairs was an antique copper cauldron from a chocolate factory which still had chocolate in it….plants love chocolate too!
‘THE RETREAT’
The open plan nature of the main living area makes it perfect for larger groups, families or entertaining, and plays perfectly into the overall ease of the property. The exterior features and garden were designed to add character over time, and enhance the identity of the property without requiring a great deal of effort from those enjoying the space. Nowadays the vines and shrubbery weave up the wooden walls, bringing the tropical jungle fantasy to life.
THE REAL GENIUS OF THIS SPACE, HOWEVER, IS THE ‘BORROWED VIEW’ - THE PRODUCT OF CREATIVE LANDSCAPING AND AN EYE FOR OPPORTUNITY.
After realising that the closest neighbouring property was built at the very back of an acre of otherwise uninterrupted land, Francesca and the team had the idea to strategically ‘plant out’ the neighbouring house itself - hiding it from sight - and remove all visual obstacles between their own property and the view. By doing this they secured an extra acre of landscape to enjoy, and created the sense of being on secluded rural acreage, despite being on a suburban lot. Space is truly a luxury in and of itself.
The first priority was to create a sense of privacy from the street. The original gate opened to a path that leads to a hardstand, exposing the front of the house to the street but provided no point of arrival or obvious entry point. One had to walk down the side of the house searching for the front door. Therefore, we added a new front door on the street-facing wall and the brick hardstand adjacent was removed and re-purposed as the bases for green, plant-covered mounds forming a more casual winding path to the carport stand. Potential visitors were now directed to an obvious new entrance further down the block where a large gate, made of recycled railway sleepers and bamboo, helped provide further barriers between the house and the road and any other gaps in the buffer zone between the street and house were filled with fast-growing, non-invasive bamboo. A bamboo and stone water feature and pond was then built outside the newly opened-up dining area, providing the pleasant sound and sight of trickling water. During heavy downpours, this filled up and spilt over to a pebbled river bed. The storm-water overflow was then directed down to the lower grassed area where it was dispersed away from the house whilst a stone bridge still allowed access to the front door.
The stone retaining wall which supported the original verandah was extended to provide a much needed outdoor living/dining area and the shed at the rear of the property was converted to a ‘parents retreat’ and outdoor shower by replacing half the walls with locally made, custom designed shoji screens. The roof was replaced with transparent polycarbonate and lined with reed screens. A skylight was placed over the daybed area so one could lay down and enjoy the sky above regardless of the weather. By opening the main bedroom out to this area with large stacking glass doors, and creating a courtyard through the addition of bamboo screening, we achieved a luxurious adult’s zone with another bubbling water feature and dramatic lighting for entertaining in the evening.