| 81 T Richard Loader Sparrow House is one of seven finalists shortlisted in this year’s Housing Section of the Wellington Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA awards. ARCHITECTURE John Mills Architects Central-Wellington architecture and interiors practice John Mills Architects has established a reputation based on delivering their commercial and residential clients bespoke design, tailored to suit the individual. John established the practice in 1990 and after decades working within the constraints and demands the Wellington environment provides John has come to understand one things matters more than anything else. “In fashion it is all about one thing – it is all about the person wearing it and exactly the same thing can be said about architecture at its most fundamental. My job is to conceptualise the elements a client wants to experience living in.” Today, the practice is home to John and three other professionals. A strong element of enabling those who have just graduated to complete their professional registration underpins how the studio operates. “It’s always been the way in architecture. Once you have gained your registration there’s an obligation to assist others on their journey. It also means new ideas and thinking are coming into the practice all the time which is really stimulating. We work in a very collaborative way.” John Mills Architects is one of seven finalists shortlisted in this year’s Housing Section of the Wellington Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA awards. Sparrow House situated in a rural landscape in Whiteman’s Valley on 6th generation family-owned land started with a wide brief from its owner. ‘Build a dream home that suits the environment, isn’t large but feels large inside and which captures the 360° views from the ridge.’ The process began with visits to the site in all weather conditions to settle on the best location; a soft ridge commanding views all around. “We were working with a limited budget and the fact that it was a farm house meant a strong connection between outside and in was important. Farm homes need porches.” John began sketching various options and he and Jenny settled on a simple design, with two pairs of equal sides on one side folded in on itself 45° to allow plenty of light to enter the living rooms. East and west facing bay windows offered seating options depending on the time of the day. Concrete floors and a slanted black ceiling lend dynamic visual interest inside and out while the vertical larch boards further echoes the sense that this is a thoroughly practical and very well designed unfussy farm home. “Jenny wanted there to be room for herself and also plenty of space for someone to visit.” Not a big fan of big houses, Sparrow House provided John with the perfect opportunity to create ideal proportions and a layout that seamlessly blended one space into another. “The home is no bigger than it needs to be.” John’s design process initially stays away from defining lines but rather seeks to ground how spaces will sit in relationship with each other, with the key focus on doing justice to the site. Water-colour drawings bring the beginning to life. “I knew the dynamics and feel of the site and that’s where I started from.” “The Sparrow House was a great experience from beginning to end, with a strong collaborative approach between myself and the client. The outcome speaks for itself.” Design that captures wide brief Residential · Commercial · Industrial Accent and outdoor lighting 027 245 8142 roger@hhelectrical.co.nz www.hhelectrical.co.nz PO Box 30288 Lower Hutt Building Style & Function into Strength & Security www.mcmillanfencesandgates.co.nz 35 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012 Call us now on 04 939 GATES 0 4 9 3 9 4 2 8 3 for an obligation free measure & quote
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=