Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 33 No 1 New Zealand | Page 63

Force of nature

Entered by a discreet front door , this home opens up to an interior that embraces the sights , sounds , and movement of the natural world
You could be forgiven for walking right past the entry to this home . Accessed via a bluestone lane the house ’ s front door , garage door and the whole stern facade pick up on the aesthetic of the timber fencing of its laneway neighbours .
Designed by architect Craig Rossetti , the residence is his own family home . The laneway approach is because this house is built on the subdivided rear of a section that ’ s home to a genteel Victorian residence , thereby saving the 1900s building from demolition .
“ Entering the house from the understated front door , guests pass through a deliberately compressed hall before stepping out into the soaring double-height living and dining space ,” says Rossetti .
To create setbacks from side boundaries to reduce the visual bulk of the residence to neighbouring properties , the architect positioned the kitchen and services areas along one boundary as these rooms didn ’ t require much height .
Similarly , the adult wing – comprising a bathroom , study , cellar , guest bedroom and the master suite at the end – tapers down towards the other side boundary . These are also a low-set run of rooms .
Previous pages : The sights and sounds of nature are integral to the design of this home , by owner / architect Craig Rossetti . A giant , individualistically framed window wall echoes the forms of nature , while a staggered roof form acts like a giant trickling water sculpture in the rain or filters the sunlight .
This page : The home ’ s hidden entry echoes the fencing along the cobblestone laneway , literally disappearing into the woodwork .
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