Aotearoa Style

Eco-Timber & Rammed Earth Home, Tutukaka

Rammed earth and eco-timber entertainer’s home, Tutukaka Coast

A spectacular setting on the Tutukaka Coast, nestled amongst the harakeke with views to die for, required a home design that was both beautiful in its own right, and respectful of the
landscape.

Alison and Mark felt that their house must fit in with its natural surroundings, whilst providing them with a modern home, small in footprint, but big in features for easy entertaining.

To achieve their dream, Modern Earth Homes fused natural rammed earth walls with eco-timber cladding, and included generous amounts of glass to take advantage of both views and passive solar benefits.

In homage to the coastal setting, Alison and Mark chose Adobo timber cladding in a vertical shiplap profile, finished with stunning Sioo:x coating for a natural, weathered look. Joinery and roof colours were carefully contrasted, making their home a pleasure to view from both inside and out.

A polished concrete floor and uncovered timber ceilings lend a simplicity to the interior that allows the natural beauty of the rammed earth walls to take centre stage. Large bi-fold doors and sliders can be opened up to create seamless indoor-outdoor flow, and give access to the outdoor entertaining area where a half-height rammed earth wall provides the base for an alfresco kitchen and bar leaner.

Solar gain is enjoyed in the colder months with plentiful windows on the northern and western sides of the house, while in summer, high windows allow for comfortable cross-ventilation.