An eco-ingenious new-build in the beachside community of Paekakariki is the perfect weekend retreat for a Wellington couple and their grown-up children
Who lives here?
David Werry (GP), his wife, Philippa (writer), and their adult children, Lizzie (youth worker), Charlotte (fine arts graduate) and Katherine (law student).
Paekakariki
fitted the bill perfectly
Q&A with homeowners David and Philippa
- What is the one thing you would change about your home if you could? Philippa: Absolutely nothing so far! We love the way it is working and the warm and welcoming feel it has.
- The most memorable experience you’ve had in your home? Philippa: The process of hand-sanding and etching the floors was definitely unforgettable. It took up a string of weekends and was at times messy as well as time-consuming – although we did get better at it as we went along. The finished result was definitely worth it. Another memorable occasion was having our Christmas lunch up there in the middle of the building process – we sat on a picnic blanket on the floor!
- How much did you spend on your build? David: The total cost, excluding land, was $513,955.
- How does it compare to the original forecast? Philippa: It measures up pretty well. Any areas that were over-budget were carefully explained to us and were areas where we could see the sense of spending more to get better value.
- Best advice when it comes to spending money on a home? Philippa: Be clear in your own mind about what you want and think about what your priorities are. Put a lot of time into thinking about this before building starts.
You can view the full story here.
1/23
Here the kitchen and living area opens to the outside. At night, lights shine through the slatted macrocarpa boxes fixed around the eaves.
2/23
A plywood interior embraces the simplicity of the Kiwi bach. Splashes of bright red warm up the space.
3/23
The kitchen’s subtle design cleverly hides a large amount of storage.
4/23
This wider deck area at the western end captures the last of the afternoon’s warmth.
5/23
David and Philippa love the ambience of a burning flame on a winter’s night with the sound of the sea pounding in the distance.
6/23
The long rod lights scattered throughout are in tune with the simple, understated aesthetic.
7/23
A concrete floor with double-thickness polystyrene underneath provides superb passive heating.
8/23
Macrocarpa decking on the northern side links the rooms of this weekend home.
9/23
As a bright contrast, the internal doors, firebox, glass splashback in the kitchen and an insert in the lounge have all been coloured a bold red.
10/23
Simple rod lights with bare bulbs and the clean lines of the efficient woodburner continue the focus on a basic aesthetic.
11/23
Here the kitchen and living area opens to the outside.
12/23
The decor is mainly driven by the natural tones of the wood ply on the walls and ceilings.
13/23
The perfect little study area.
14/23
A gorgeous little study area with built-in seating sits in a door-less opening off the hallway and looks out onto the deck.
15/23
The home’s design preserved the existing cabbage trees on the property which was important to David and Philippa.
16/23
In each bedroom, the bed has been placed in the centre of the room with storage installed behind the bedhead.
17/23
The shelving unit behind the bed in the main bedroom removes the need for drawers elsewhere in the room.
18/23
Louvres have been strategically placed for cross-ventilation and temperature control
19/23
Between the home’s two arms lies a sheltered courtyard for morning sun
20/23
The ‘wet room’-style bathroom has been built with an eye to it possibly being the Werrys’ full-time home when they retire.
21/23
The emphasis on simplicity in the guest bedroom echoes the design of the entire home and, again, is lifted with a pop of red.
22/23
A generous sliding door gives easy access to the sheltered courtyard.
23/23
Two sets of bunk beds were the ideal solution for the narrowest bedroom.
Words by: Catherine Steel. Photography by: Russell Kleyn.
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