Home New Zealand October - November 2023

One of the projects we feature in this issue was named ‘Woodland Dance’ by its architects; another ‘The Geode House’. They’re names that speak of a beautiful simplicity, of nature’s melody. Behind these alluringly simple spaces, though, is a layered complexity — and this is the thread that weaves together each of the homes we explore in these pages. While simplicity informs the end goal in these projects, it is the nuances behind achieving this that tell the stories here — ones that speak to whispers of luxury and calming spatial environments. In the case of Woodland Dance, the name referred to the way dappled light falls through the trees, creating a tonal melody on the forest floor; there is a beautiful sense of calm in this home — created…

As we reveal the winners and wrap up the 2023 Interior of the Year awards programme in this issue, we reflect on an incredible journey. With the highest number of entries received to date, and thousands of votes for the Readers’ Choice Award, at every step of the way, it has been a celebration of the talent and innovation of our local design community — something that has captured the attention of a wide audience here and abroad. It was a pleasure to put this awards programme together and delve into the work that is shaping the New Zealand design landscape and informing its future. We couldn’t have done it without our partners: Dawson & Co., New Zealand Panels Group, Plumbline, and Resene — thank you for your support. To…

Euphoric blooms Painter Anna Stichbury’s latest exhibition is a collection of vibrant, uplifting immersions into her expressive vision of the natural world — and an invitation to engage with sheer and unabridged joy. Historically, Anna has worked with a primary concept or theme for her exhibitions, exploring notions of familiarity, discovery, perception, and memory. This time, the Wellington-based artist takes an introspective approach with a series of paintings and installations that offers an eclectic view into a timeline of devotion to playful exploration of colour and abstraction. They’re a homage to euphoric blooms, textured skies, azure oceans — the golden glow of life that captures our senses. Anna Stichbury’s exhibition will be held at Parnell Gallery from 7 to 21 November. @parnellgallery Urban crush Taking inspiration from the textures of…

“This is my personal thesis in built form,” architect Mary Campbell from Bellbird Architects says of the tiny Rotorua abode that evolved as a labour of love incorporating many self-built elements. Wrapped in macrocarpa that weaves inside, changing from horizontal to vertical boards as it does, there’s no doubt that this urban escape pays heed to Mary’s fascination with tramping huts. There’s a no-fuss, no-frills allure about this simple dwelling on an unassuming site in central Rotorua near the Redwoods. A sliding door covered in a mural by local artist Mark Nobel separates the cabin’s only bedroom from the living area, delineating between the dark haven of the bedroom and the lighter heart of the main openplan space. Surrounding it, a small kitchen, dining, and lounge area fold around an…

HOME + Dryden Neighbouring buildings are of varying scale; there’s a new house next door and a row of apartments that overlook the site, so retaining privacy while creating strong connections to the sea was an important consideration, and this was artfully woven into the design by Herbst Architects. At ground level, stacked bluestone introduces a solidity to the shifting form; above it, a series of cedar-clad boxes with finned timber screens marks a departure from the anchored lower level and conveys a sense of lightness, the veiled silhouettes drawing in daylight and becoming lantern-like at night. Using Dryden WoodOil in Barque, a soft mid brown, to finish the timber, the exterior tonality has a certain subtlety and grace about it — the screens serving to visually reduce the volume…

Writers' rooms How does architecture influence New Zealand writing? We spoke to two authors about their latest projects and that fruitful connection between the literary and spatial craft. Andrea Hotere Auckland-based Andrea Hotere is soon releasing her inaugural novel, The Vanishing Point. We spoke to her about her influences and the architectural spaces that helped the magic flow. Portraits Alice Naish HOME: This novel has been in the making for over 10 years. What are some of the most memorable writing rooms where you have worked on this project? I started the first draft at the kitchen table in an apartment in Saint Lukes where we lived while building a house … but I wrote the final outline standing in our laundry, using the washing machine as a desk. I…