Pie Melon Bay

A truly unique piece of New Zealand architecture that captures the contemporary NZ vernacular theme. This residence and functions venue (weddings etc.) incorporates multiple cultural overlays whilst having an internal ‘arts and crafts’ feel with the use of natural handcrafted materials. This large new farm residence at Pie Melon Bay softly blends into the landscape. Designed to sit sensitively into the landscape, natural stone and timber are the main materials that create an easy transition from beach to hillside surrounding the house to native bush and rural pastures beyond.

An extremely sustainable building from its passive design features, being partly built underground it produces a very stable internal environment with water re-use, natural ventilation and many materials being sourced locally.

The client’s brief was to design a house that touched the ground lightly and worked within the landscape to ‘naturally belong.’ Other features are internal ‘sunken’ courtyards, a semi-circular kitchen, expansive use of volcanic ‘northland’ stone throughout the exterior and interior, beautiful natural landscaped areas, artworks and sculptures and an entirely separate guest quarter.

Overall the total house is approximately 900m2 and there is even a cricket pitch on the front lawn overlooking the beach. This home is both grand in scale and contemporary but also a great example of workmanship with its use of natural materials producing a stunning residence with a very ‘homely’ feel.

The landscape design carried out by Ted Smyth links the internal and external environments.