Timber Home with mountain views, Lake Taupo – Central North Island, New Zealand

This timber home frames dramatic views of its mountainous setting on the shore of Lake Taupo in Central North Island.

Two double-storey wings are raised on a concrete slab, connected with a lounge at ground level and a void with an office nook above. The western wing contains the garage, bathroom, laundry and storage at ground level and living, kitchen and dining spaces at the upper level.

The eastern wing occupies two guest rooms, flanked by two areas of decking at either side on the lower level and master bedroom, ensuite and wardrobe at the upper one.

The lake and the mountains are only visible from the first floor. Hence, the priority rooms are all located there. The master bedroom gets the view through the sheltered balcony, which divides the two main wings, while the main entertainment area is facing directly the majestic scenery. To maximise this view, the façade towards west is completely glazed on the upper floor with timber fins to enhance privacy protection.

The home’s separation provides greater privacy for the bedroom wing. If the owners wish, one or two of the lower bedrooms can be rented out but they are not too isolated from the main living zone.

While wood dominates both - the internal and external finishes of the lower level, the upper level is clad in steel, in a warm shade of grey, cantilevering over its timber base, like the towering rugged mountains in the distance.

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Elevation Southeast with the bedroom and the entertainment wing.	Elevation Northwest with zoning between private and public areas.	Southwest facade with views and the play of light along the timber strands changing throughout the day, offering varying transparency and opaqueness.
Northeast elevation with the lower two bedrooms separated by a flexible room devider to create a single home theater room in the absence of overnight guests.	Ground floor with the area of utilities and secondary rooms and a protected private zone of bedrooms devided by an intermediate lounge and entry area.	Main floor area on the upper floor with a central void to connect with the entrance level below. The plan is spaced on a strict 1200 x 1200mm grid to allow for the innovative ECOFAST post and beam prefabrication structure.
The cantilevered and timber-screened south facade embraces the views on the top level, while allowing the changing light filtering through the slats.	Elevation Northwest with the bedroom wing oriented to the sheltered garden area to ensure privacy and protection from the elements.	West elevation with street frontage showing the public and the more private wing of the house separated by a light-filled entrance hall and an open void above.
Open-plan kitchen, dining and living area with views and filtered light from the south (right) and sun exposure from the north (left).

Timber Home with mountain views, Lake Taupo – Central North Island, New Zealand

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Elevation Southeast with the bedroom and the entertainment wing.

Elevation Northwest with zoning between private and public areas.

Southwest facade with views and the play of light along the timber strands changing throughout the day, offering varying transparency and opaqueness.

Northeast elevation with the lower two bedrooms separated by a flexible room devider to create a single home theater room in the absence of overnight guests.

Ground floor with the area of utilities and secondary rooms and a protected private zone of bedrooms devided by an intermediate lounge and entry area.

Main floor area on the upper floor with a central void to connect with the entrance level below. The plan is spaced on a strict 1200 x 1200mm grid to allow for the innovative ECOFAST post and beam prefabrication structure.

The cantilevered and timber-screened south facade embraces the views on the top level, while allowing the changing light filtering through the slats.

Elevation Northwest with the bedroom wing oriented to the sheltered garden area to ensure privacy and protection from the elements.

West elevation with street frontage showing the public and the more private wing of the house separated by a light-filled entrance hall and an open void above.

Open-plan kitchen, dining and living area with views and filtered light from the south (right) and sun exposure from the north (left).

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