Sites which face southward, away from the sun, always present challenges for designers. This southward sloping site in Waikari, Dunedin gazes out over a bush filled gully and down to the Pacific Ocean. The challenge for this project was how to create a warm, light filled home with good connection to a flat outdoor space for a family with young children.

Our response was to create two interlocking pavilions which sheltered a sunny north facing lawn and garden. The living room pavilion has large windows facing south to the views and north to the sun. This allows views through the living space from the sunny outdoor patio. The sloping pavilion the east contains the homes bedrooms. A schist fireplace pins the two forms together and leads visitors in from the double height entry foyer.

The house was build using high performance structural insulated panels and incorporates a whole house mechanical heat recovery ventilation system.