Refined Simplicity – Banks Peninsula House by Made Architecture and Lume Design

Elevating the traditional New Zealand bach, Banks Peninsula is an expression of its owners’shared love of land and sea. The occasional abode sees Made Architecture and Lume Design propose a home that expresses an inherent honesty, combined with refined detailing and an uncomplicated sense of simplicity.

Located east of Christchurch, Banks Peninsula sits surrounded by lush rolling terrain in Wainui, overlooking the ocean. Imagined as an idyllic retreat from the everyday, the gabled house sits on its sloping hill facing north and is intended for the use of two generations of the same family. Surrounded by its natural setting, the structure engages with its the site lightly, with each internal space having a visual connection to the abounding landscape in some way. Deliberately pared back, the approach is inspired by the traditional and more rustic New Zealand bach structure (typically made from found materials) and combines a modest floor plan and raw materiality with the heightened contemporary living conveniences. Made Architecture and Lume Design fully realise the potential of this abundant and soporific site.

Banks Peninsula sits surrounded by lush rolling terrain in Wainui, overlooking the ocean.

Sitting as a T-shape arrangement on site, two gabled roof forms come together. Facing north is the main living spaces and master bedroom, while the south-facing structure tilts its views toward the ocean and contains the additional bedrooms. Unlike the outward facing nature of each of the internal rooms, on the opposite side a private courtyard with its own fireplace is a secluded outdoor room for gathering away from the prevailing winds. Built by Casa Construction, the home’s simplified form is expressed in full in the lofty living space, where the ceiling extends upward to create a vaulted space and supporting truss structural elements are celebrated. Black brackets, together with wall plugs and sockets express the structural connectivity of its parts and offer a point of interest and detail internally. Externally, the focus is on a cleaner and simplified approach, where timber side cladding wraps the structure, and dark metal roof sheeting caps the forms.

Taking inspiration from the surrounding context, the palette connects to the muted natural colours found within the landscape. The overall feeling of restfulness is found in each of the spaces, where a minimal approach to furniture, lighting and artwork allows for the outward facing views to be the main focus. Each space has curated framed windows that act as portals to the views beyond, encouraging a disconnected slow pace to infiltrate the feeling conjured internally. As an occasional home, the selection of materiality being both robust and enduring was key, ensuring the many short-term family stays could occur without sensitivity.

Imagined as an idyllic retreat from the everyday, the gabled house sits on its sloping hill facing north and is intended for the use of two generations of the same family.

Ensuring liveability, Banks Peninsula is grounded on principles of connection. Make Architecture and Lume Design have brought together measured restraint to summon an escape that is as embracing of its location as it is of its visitors. A balanced and considered resolve, the resulting home is just the right amount of simple and enduring.

Surrounded by its natural setting, the structure engages with its the site lightly, with each internal space having a visual connection to the abounding landscape in some way.