| 79 T T Kelly Deeks Back-to-front house a stunning success Object Office brings a unique blend of practical construction knowledge and refined design capability to every project. Object Office: Maker Build ARCHITECTURE A striking new holiday home taking shape in Kinloch is a showcase of thoughtful design by Mount Maunganui-based, Object Office, brought to life by local builder Maker Build. The project, led by Object Office directors, husband-and-wife team Devon and Louise Booth, demonstrates a strong synergy between architecture and construction, and is a testament to the couple’s hands-on, collaborative approach. With Devon’s background as a qualified builder, and Louise’s NZRAB registration and extensive experience in commercial and civic architecture, Object Office brings a unique blend of practical construction knowledge and refined design capability to every project. “Between us, we’ve got about 10 years of university study and a decade of industry experience,” Devon says. “My building background helps us anticipate challenges and work through them with the team on-site, while Louise brings her sharp design sensibility and project leadership. Together, we make sure the design intent is maintained from concept through to construction.” This Kinloch home, designed as a holiday retreat, presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Elevated on a hillside, the site has panoramic views over the golf course and out towards Lake Taupō. However, it’s also fully exposed to the prevailing westerly winds. “The site orientation meant we were essentially designing a ‘back-to-front’ house,” Louise says. “We needed to maximise the lake views to the southwest, while protecting the living spaces from the wind and still making the most of sunlight.” The result is a clever courtyard-based design, where two pavilions wrap around a central, sheltered outdoor space. This courtyard acts as the heart of the home, providing privacy, protection from the wind, and multiple visual connections through to the lake beyond. “The idea was to create flexible spaces that work well, whether it’s just the owners enjoying a quiet weekend, or they’ve got a full house of friends and family,” Devon says. “We didn’t want to go too big, but we still needed three bedrooms, and we’ve included adaptable features like a bunk room to the rear and built-in lounge seating that can double as extra sleeping space.” A pop-up roof form allows northern sunlight to penetrate deep into the living areas, while smaller, carefully placed bedroom windows frame selected views. The material palette is equally considered: warm-toned Canterbury clay bricks from Christchurch, New Zealand-grown Abodo timber, and a muted grey-brown metal roof designed to blend with the surrounding landscape when viewed from above. “Given how visible the roof would be from the road and neighbouring properties, we treated it as a fifth elevation,” Louise says. “We’ve pushed the boundaries of the subdivision’s design guidelines to deliver something both natural and distinctive.” Maker Build, led by Kinloch locals Aaron and Kyly Haynes, has been an integral part of the project’s success. Both couples share not just professional expertise, but also a deep connection to the local community. “Working with builders who live just down the road has been fantastic,” Devon says. “They care about the area and are just as invested in seeing high-quality projects completed here as we are.” Object Office directors, husband-and-wife team Devon and Louise Booth. +64 27 916 2077 | enquire@balanceelectrical.co.nz | www.balanceelectrical.co.nz At Balance Electrical we promise to always continue to strive to improve by measuring performance against clients’ and team members’ expectations, pushing the boundaries to motivate others to be equal. STRIVING TO BE AN INSPIRATION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING WORLD GET IN TOUCH
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