Located on a gently sloping section within central Nelson, this large family home is organised over three stories, with entry from the street at the middle level and the lower level living space opening out to the garden.
The position of the home close to the road continues the urban form of the street, providing a foil to the large neighbouring motel and maximising the usable garden area at the northern end of the site.
Orientated to capture sun and views, living spaces and bedrooms face north, with secondary and circulation spaces located on the south side of the house. Bedrooms and living spaces open out to balconies and terraces that extend the living space and shelter the glazing from excessive solar gain the summer months.
Designed around passive solar heating principles, the house is constructed from concrete tilt panels, which are exposed internally to provide thermal mass to capture solar energy from the large north facing windows.
The concrete is insulated on the outside face and clad with vertical cedar shiplap weather boarding to provide an attractive visual rain-shield cladding.
Windows punctuating the southern façade are grouped to provide views of native plantings that shield the house from the road.
Client: Private
Location: Nelson
Status: Completed 2009
