Located in the Cardona valley, the client’s brief was very clear about creating a lodge that would provide a relaxed yet luxurious feel for the family to gather with friends and adult children and grandchildren.
The owners envisaged simple barn forms that related to the nature of the Cardrona Valley which has a rich farming and gold mining history.
The property had also been purchased with an existing building consent and nominated building platform. While the form was not be followed, the platform needed to be accommodated in the new design.
Situated close to the village, privacy was important while framing the views to the surrounding hills and taking into account the extremes of the climate, prevailing winds and spaces to capture the afternoon sun. Sustainability in terms of the building’s performance was also a high priority.
The planning would need to provide for gathering spaces that were distinct from the accommodation areas. A love of entertaining and gathering around the heart of the home, the kitchen was preferred. An easy indoor/outdoor flow through all seasons was required.
Keen skiers, the family needed to accommodate storage for the family’s gear and a good drying room setup.
The aesthetic was to follow a relaxed, textural barn inspired aesthetic rather than a contemporary, minimalist aesthetic while supporting systems that allowed the house to be managed remotely while still being easily to operate by guests not familiar with the property.
Some key pieces form the client’s artwork collection were to be designed for.
Lighting was to be carefully considered and integrated into all design elements, in some cases as a feature and in other cases providing subtle but focussed illumination of key elements.
The Two barns follow the form of the original building platform with a lean to joining the two structures, as if they had always been separate but finally connected. The structure is nestled into the gentle sloping section providing protection form the wind and privacy to the outdoor gathering spaces.
The board and batten cladding is traditional in nature and complemented with oiled cedar barn doors, shutters and a large pivot door at the entry.
Incorporating local Clutha stone and schist with oak floors gives a warmth and textured grounding to the space. The living area walls are plastered and tonal reflecting the traditional finishes prevalent in the historic structures of the valley.
The sliding garage/barn door, shutters, hardware, tapware and decorative lighting selections provide further detailed reference to the barn metaphor while supporting everyday use of the spaces.
Windows provide curated view shafts to the surrounding hills
The structure for the barns was developed in conjunction with a traditional barn manufacturer. The laminated ply beam structure and all framing was prepared off site which allowed for less waste and accelerated construction on site.
The entry “lean to” continues the exterior cladding for the Two Barns through into this space and the exterior Clutha Quarried stone separates the two barns internally. The window at the rear of the entry lobby frames the client’s sculpture and provides a drop off area for hats and coats and shoes.
Lighting is carefully integrated to illuminate the sculptures.
The two barns have distinct aspects.
The living spaces are housed in a double volume barn space that allows for large family gatherings around a large central kitchen. Anchored at one end, the large cathedral window captures the view to the hills and is symmetrically arranged to the external fireplace on the external terrace. Light falls across textured walls and the expressed beam structures conceal track lighting with the bottom chord allowing specific area of the spaces to be carefully highlighted such as the Lisa Reihana artwork within its allocated space.
Integrated appliances and air conditioning within the cabinetry allow the kitchen space to sit elegantly, yet simply within the living area. A leathered Negresco stone provides a tactile feel to the kitchen areas alongside stained oak veneers.
A jewel cocktail cabinet along with bar fridge is also integrated into the cabinetry.
Large windows capture the light from early morning through to evening with the lean-to over the terrace providing shade in summer and cover on winter’s evenings allowing the internal / external flow to be accommodated year-round.
The ‘accommodation’ barn accommodates 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a bunk room on the ground floor with internal access garage and a drying room. The upper level houses the main bedroom and ensuite, a media room and a further young adult’s bedroom.
The palette developed for the barns referenced the textures and tones prevalent in the valley.
Incorporating local Clutha stone and schist with fumed oak floors gives a warmth and textured grounding to the space. The living area walls are plastered and tonal reflecting the traditional finishes prevalent in the historic structures of the valley. The tactile nature of the walls carries through to soft and textured fabrics in muted tones throughout the spaces.
Leathered and weathered Negresco stone grounds the heart of the home to the kitchen.
Detailing of hardware, tapware, and lighting provide a constant black accent throughout.
The bathrooms incorporate textured natural tile carefully detailed around the sanitaryware which expands on the barn aesthetic. Custom vanities with leathered stone and carefully designed lighting support soft wayfinding light at night and mood or full lighting if required.
Radiators were specifically sourced to work in with the interiors. These provide localised heat to rooms that can be controlled by the user rather than having to rely on a central system.
The journey through the accommodation areas, provides moments of interest and differentiation. Carefully detailed board and batten integrating lighting and artwork, gives was to a timber clad bunk room and hidden stairway. A hidden stairway leads to the master bedroom and media room. Lighting, furnishings and fittings from the clients’ travels and carefully curated into all the spaces.
The master bedroom provides a quiet, rich space to escape to with deep jewel tones.
Team:
Architects: Space Studio
Design Director: Vee Kessner
Procurement Associate: Christine Talbot
Creative: Remy Smit
Senior Creative: Monique Enoka-Davidson
Photographers: Studio Weir, Simon Devitt
