Alexandra Residence
A modern home to capture 360 degree views from a central courtyard providing privacy and shelter with floating roofs layered into the rural landscape.
The design solution was hatched on site using vehicles arranged in a square to create an outdoor courtyard for meeting the clients family and shelter from the wind. Looking through the windows in all directions with only thin roofs allowed my clients both some protection and maximum views to be achieved. The concept of a series of thin roofs hovering above the landscape around a central open outdoor living space felt perfectly suited to the rural sites exposed location.A horizontal linear roof line was considered to be more appropriate than the more familiar surrounding neighbours pitched roofs which looked like out of context with the landscape. The inspirational landscape that brought our clients to the site was also the designers inspiration to create floating roofs concieved as a contemporary version of long white clouds, appropriate we thought in “Aotearoa “.
The design solution was seen as a engaging the landscape and living alongside nature.
The clients initially rejected the design as perhaps too modern and not practical, but then soon began to understand and appreciate the design concepts and have now embraced the modern contemporary design approach and construction in preference to traditional designs. The planning is strongly based around the open central court which shelters a heated swimming pool and outdoor living space. The plan layout includes 2 glazed hallways to link with the private central court and the renown big rural skies overhead.
This design creates flow and transparency from the central outdoor courtyard throught the various residence rooms to the landscape beyond, either as panoramas or axial vistas.
The pool links visually with the 2 vineyards, and 2 ponds marking each axis.
Living rooms at East, North, and West ensure the owners have all the best options.
The various rooms are laid out off the circulation space with the Owners having their own seperate space upstairs which is well suited to growing teenagers and future needs. A spa pool on the upper deck caters for more private enjoyment of the site and a multi purpose Gym with bar allows for other group functions and the owners ideals of a healthy and greener life. The floating roof design solution plays the most significant role in achieving the desired aesthetic for the client, with the focus of the building forms and functions to create wonderful indoor/outdoor spaces, whether they be a retreat from the weather or a space immersed in the landscape. The cantilevered and overlapping floating roofs create spacious interiors in which you can fully experience the seasons and play of light. The building is a combination of pavillions consisting of Linea floating fascias, generous cantilevered and extending ceilings, extensive full height green tinted double glazing in architectural series aluminium joinery, and plaster clad walls on heated concrete floors for the winter that also act as passive storage heat sinks in the summer.
The built forms are composed as a series of glazed pavillions in balance with nature.
A natural pallete of colours and textures blend this new modern style into the landscape.
Landscaping is very simple and minimalist in style, being a generous green lawn and tussock covered berms to afford a little privacy from any passers by and blend to the wild rural widerness of Central Otago that varies from lush green vineyards to snow capped mountains as the seasons change all juxposed against crisp modern architecture.
The design solution has resulted in a stunning design that has created an environmental and architectural statement that the owners and designer are absolutely delighted with in the pursuit to form what they consider is the ideal place.