Residential

Gisborne House Off the Grid

Location

Longbush, Gisborne

Client

Jeremy Salmond

Date

2015

This house, conceived as a building in a landscape, lies at the centre of a 15 year regeneration project focused on the protection of native plants and birds.

Sustainability
New Design
Environmental

This property is “off the grid”, and relies on solar power and water heating, with gas and wetback boost. The separate garage contains battery bank and generator.

Construction combines a Hebel block solid enclosing wall to the south, incorporating small steel windows, and a more open face to the north featuring large timber windows to capture sun and panoramic views of the wider landscape. The single-pitch roof projects forward to provide summer shade.

The buildings were carefully sited to preserve two archaeological features which recall traditional (pre-contact) use of the land.

Longbush 02
Longbush 03
Longbush 04

The interior finishes of native timber panelling and exposed rafters are refined to a high detail and exhibit quality craftsmanship and a comforting interior. The project is also to be commended in its thoughtful preservation of two archaeological sites. The home is truly in harmony with its environment and its owners.

NZIA HOUSING AWARD 2015

Key design determinants were views up the valleys to the north and west. The two building elements lie east-west to maximise solar gain, and the north face features sliding timber doors opening onto a timber deck and concrete terrace.

The interior is a single space on two levels, with separate bathroom (the house is the first stage of a larger group of structures) and the footprint of the residential part is just 64m².

The ground floor single, open-plan room contains kitchen, laundry, dining and living areas. The upper level incorporates a bath-room, two sleeping areas and storage space.

Longbush 06
Longbush 07
Longbush 05

More projects

The Pompallier printery, tannery and book bindery is the last remaining building of others in the compound constructed by the founding French Catholic Mission for the entire western Pacific and is also the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand.

Salmond Reed Architects was the heritage architect for the upgrade of the Melanesian Mission in Mission Bay, in association with Herbst Architects and their striking new restaurant pavilion.

Salmond Reed Architects is responsible for the specification and management of a complex and ongoing programme of repairs to Auckland’s Dilworth Building.

Contact our experienced team to discuss your project

Address

Level 4, Landmark House
187 Queen Street
Auckland CBD 1010

Mailing
PO Box 105929, Auckland City 1143