Ellen Comes to Town.
Ellen’s New Home was built in a newly developed, elevated subdivision with outstanding views to the end of the Coromandel Ranges. This view clinched the choice of the section as Ellen had previously lived on their 5th generation dairy farm on the northern outskirts of Paeroa for 58 years. Ellen loved open spaces and the thoughts of continuing to look at those ranges had instant appeal.
The brief called for a contemporary styled home on a demanding site at the base of a rocky hill within the Paeroa township. Future proofing the design was very important and would enable the home to be compatible with the owners need for many years to come. Single level living, with three generous sized bedrooms, and level entry access to all external doorways was requested.
The home is designed to maximise all the views, especially as the site borders the end of a cul-de-sac. The layout demanded a 30 degree ‘bend’ in the home layout that replicates the curvature of the roadway and allows the front rooms to have direct views towards the roadside and beyond to the limestone deposits known as ‘Black Rocks’.
The home faces north east, taking advantage of the site on the higher level of the hill in western corner of the subdivision. The hill behind provides a natural buffer to the southerly and south westerly winds creating a “micro”climatic resulting in warmer temperatures within the development. Obvious examples of this show in the landscape planting which is barely a year old and has thrived on site with little adverse wind hindering it’s progress.
Energy efficiency is addressed through the orientation of the building on site, with sunlight control through the eaves and verandahs. Earth wool insulation is installed and rated R 3.6 to ceilings and R2.6 to all internal walls. Double glazing incorporating green tint glass provides for maximum UV protection within all rooms.
The effectiveness of energy efficiency is largely due to the site orientation for maximum winter sun penetration and the heat gain into the home that is captured with insulation, minimising heat loss.
Ellen has commented that the backup heat pump was barely used over winter with minimal power accounts justifying the extensive measures implemented during the design and build process.
The layout includes tiled, accessible showers in the bathroom and ensuite, with no shower doors. Wider doorways to all rooms and a short 1200 wide hallway width. The laundry and double garage are in close proximity to the kitchen for convenience.
The ‘timeless design’ links with the gardens and provides easy access from the kwila hardwood decks to the entry, The living room and Master bedroom have covered verandahs that open to external courtyards. Here the contemporary, mono- pitched roof overhang allows maximum penetration of the sun through PSP Suntuff Corrugated Polycarbonate roofing. The waterproof surface and dressed Cedar slats to the underside, break the intensity of light penetration into these rooms. The result, in winter, is to allow more light into all rooms rather than restricting the light with the traditional solid overhang.
The exterior materials chosen provide for a low maintenance external finish. Austral bricks with Linea weatherboard cladding, Dimond Styleline trapezoidal roofing (in Ironsand) compliments the use of Cedar timber slatting to the underside of the verandahs and the Kwila decking. The roofing also matched the colour of the Mulitfit fascia system with ¼ round spouting. These products have all been designed to minimise painting and maintenance to the exterior of the home.
Integrated into the design and construction of the project was a fully accessible landscaping layout over the entire site. This provides easily accessible paths within a rockery styled garden using the indigenous rocks found on site. The rock and retaining walls built to the front and rear, blend in with the adjacent hillside. A small grassed area and a level terrace provides an important touch of lush green on the property. Screen fences and garden art add another dimension and personalise the project. Ellen’s overall choice of planting injects colour and texture over the various levels. All are with ease of maintenance in mind.