Allandale Living Springs

This award winning home has been designed to fit in with surroundings with as little environmental impact as possible. Designed as a home for a family that is timeless, comfortable, warm and sustainable, appropriate for the site and utilising natural materials, capturing the sun, light and views.

The house has been integrated into the hill-site and is surrounded by native bush capturing a vista looking down Lyttelton Harbour to the north east. Stone retrieved from the creek running through the site was used to create stone walls and a fireplace with back to back indoor/outdoor fires.

An environmental design ethos was a high priority, with environmentally sourced materials and recycled finishing timber to be used extensively in the house with joinery being solid timber rather than MDF. A reconditioned Rayburn range heats the hot water and also powers the under floor heating, keeping the house at a constant cosy temperature throughout winter with low running costs.

High sloping ceilings and a row of high level windows provide morning light and an uplifting spacial feel to the main living spaces, kitchen and bathrooms. The best view is enjoyed from the sheltered outdoor room which has a louvered roof and outdoor fireplace. Living spaces on both levels make for an easy flow to the unique surrounding site and views.

Passive solar design has been implemented with stone and concrete providing the appropriate thermal mass. The home is future proofed and spatially efficient with the lower level being used as a separate self contained dwelling. The use of natural materials which provides a soft look and feel integrating well with its natural environment allows for a timeless look.

This home won the 2013 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards Residential New Home between 150m² and 300m² ­Sponsored by Gerard Roofs. The judges were impressed by the planning and cross section of this house which work excellently and address issues of the slope across the site.
‍"The designer has used a rich palette of materials to make a warm and engaging home."
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