The Supreme Winner Of The Gerard Roofs Home Design Award

Michelle and Pat Peoples had a vision to create a family home that they could enjoy for many years. A home they, and their young family, could grow with and into. They chose a very unique site which, although within the city, is bordered by a large gully to the north-west which offers a semi rural aspect and privacy to the property.
Their brief was not for a house but rather a large, spacious family home which would meet the long term objectives of their lifestyle and growing family.

The brief was given to Ross McMillan, of McMillan Design, Hamilton, who set about designing
a homestead which ultimately was voted the Gerard Roofs Supreme Award Winner for 2005.

The site sits on the North-West side of the road, and has the gully outlook to the rear of the site. The building platform allowed enough space for the house and provided the perfect scenario to create the North facing courtyard area off the main living areas and lounge.

The brief required four bedrooms plus study, a separate formal lounge  with the main living, dining and kitchen areas to be open plan.
A double garage plus a third garage and workshop were required with an attic to provide an extra storage space.




Design response.
To make the most of the site the home sits to the front and the multiple layers and roof plans provide a sense of grandure to the entry which opens to a large lobby with the family room beyond. The 6 metre stud and natural timber is designed to give an immediate feeling of space and warmth.
Convenient access from garage to kitchen was created by positioning the main garage wing perpendicular to the main body of the house next to the kitchen and breakfast area.
This effectively pushed the main living areas of the house away from the road creating a buffer to reduce traffic noise inside the house.
A small, sheltered morning courtyard has been created between the garage and lounge wing.

The living area, entry, stairs, and lounge have timber raking ceilings, large exposed rafters and beams with timber sarking providing an impressive sense of space an natural ambience. Three alpine style dormer skylights provide an interior feature and successfully combine with the exterior appearance to create the style of home Michelle and Pat were looking for. The use of lightweight roofing material meant very large internal ceiling spans could be achieved with native timber beams without the need for steel support.

Consideration was given to the indoor / outdoor flow from the living areas to the rear courtyard that was to be established between the house and gully. This took full advantage of the private, northerly aspect which enjoys the sun for the majority of the day.

The centrally positioned kitchen is easily accessible from all parts of the house, and enables Michelle and Pat to keep a close watch on the children playing outside.

The master bedroom,ensuite, wardrobe, and study are situated in the upper level, which, while reducing the size of the footprint on the available building platform, also helps create the overall presence of the structure that a single storey house lacks. A balcony opens off the master bedroom to the north providing sunshine and views over the gully and courtyard below.

The architecture had to be along strong, bold, with traditional lines, harmony, high aesthetic values  and appeal. To enhance the  appearance of the house, Gerard Oberon Shingles and glazed Hinuera Stone were used giving the home solidarity and presence.
Cedar timber shingles have been used on the gable ends of the main roof structures. Considerable thought has gone into the selection of materials which complement each other in texture, style, colour and durability.


Overall, the use of strong architectural design and high quality, aesthetically pleasing materials has resulted in a very successful, comfortable and beautiful home with very happy owners.