Architects: Tse:Wallace Architects
Project: Korokoro Residence
Location: Korokoro Gorge, Wellington, New Zealand
Area: 274 sqm
Photography: Tse:Wallace Architects
Perched up in the heavily forrested hills of Wellington, surrounded by native New Zealand bushland, is the Korokoro Residence. This beautiful contemporary home, with striking facades and stunning views from every angle, was designed by architect Liz Wallace of Tse:Wallace Architects.
This new house located adjacent to a conservation area of well established native bush, endeavours to make the most of its dramatic siting. It is organised around two central axis, one to the Korokoro Gorge and the other to the Cook Straits. The house forms an L-shape tucked around the corner of a steeply sloping section. This simple shape enabled two distinct areas, the private bedroom wing oriented to the Gorge and the more public living wing oriented to the spectacular views out to the Wellington harbour and Cook Straits.
The owners Sri Lankan heritage added a layer of cultural richness and informed much of the material selection. Influenced by the renowned Sri Lankan Architect Geoffrey Bawa, elements such as courtyards, timber beams typical of this architects work were integrated into the house scheme but combined in a contemporary way.
The appeal of courtyard spaces also enabled Tse: Wallace to provide several alternative outdoor spaces that would offer shelter in the varying dynamic wellington wind conditions!
Designed with environmentally sensitive materials including bamboo flooring and cabinetry throughout the interior, the exterior is clad with stained cedar weatherboards to compliment the bush setting. It is orientated to maximise solar gain and minimise heat loss through insulation and careful placement of doors and windows, making the house very comfortable, quiet with a sense of harmony with its surroundings.
