Best retirement house design for Global Awards shortlisted
LONDON: The shortlist for the best retirement house design has been declared.
Over 250 designs have been considered by the awards secretariat. One of the finalists in this category is shown above.
After 14 years living a fast-paced corporate life in New York and London, the couple landed in the quiet lakeside village, bringing an exciting history that is evident in their art and artefact collection, and also in the features of the house itself.
April and Ian owned a holiday home in Hāwea, a short drive from Wānaka, and when they decided to head back to New Zealand – a decision which was always on the cards – they chose the village for their permanent home. They bought a slice of land overlooking the lake and set about finding an architect to design the perfect landing place.
Wānaka-based Barry Condon of Condon Scott Architects was the man for the job. He worked alongside the couple to create the house, which is designed to take in as many angles of the spectacular lake and mountain views as possible.
The couple had a long list of requirements, collected from their many years of travelling. “We both had jobs that involved a lot of flying so you stay in a lot of nice hotels and see things you like and you make a mental note of it,” says Ian. “Many of those features ended up on our list.”
Inspiration was also drawn from New York apartments, like having a coat cupboard close to the front door. There’s also a mud room where vegetables can be brought in from the garden and boots and raincoats discarded.
“We also had simple things,” explains April, “like double basins in all the bathrooms, concrete floors in the main parts of the house, fires for companionship and warmth, as opposed to heat. We wanted what we call a snug, where we can rest our feet on the coffee table and eat our meals. A cosy spot for the two of us.”
The resulting home functions as a comfortable nest for the couple, with space to display art, furniture, photographs and artefacts, and with plenty of room to entertain guests, whether for dinner or for overnight stays.
The outdoors is an obvious focal point. As this is a high-wind area, a large southern courtyard with an ample fireplace provides a sheltered spot to enjoy the view in all weathers and seasons, with the lake and mountains still visible through the house.
Much of the couple’s furniture has moved around the world with them. The leather couches in the snug were originally purchased in Wellington and travelled to New York and London, before landing back in Hāwea. The rugs came from their New York apartment, where they are a requirement on the timber floors.
“When we were thinking about this house, we went into a few places that were stunning but some had the feeling that you wouldn’t want to put anything down on the surfaces. We wanted to be able to live and relax in the place,” says Ian.
A large garage and plenty of storage allow Ian to entertain his love for recreational activities, such as motorbike riding and snowboarding. “In New York and London, you would have to drive 45 minutes just to get out of the traffic but, here, I can jump on my motorbike and shoot up to Makarora at a moment’s notice,” he says with a grin.
April has taken up gardening, with the help of a green-thumbed friend, and delighted in the tomatoes she was still pulling from the tunnel house even as the mornings grew frosty. “We now own a tractor,” she laughs. “We make pickles and chutneys. Our friends in New York wouldn’t recognise us.”
April and Ian want to grow old here so some thought was put into future-proofing the house. All the doors are wide enough for wheelchair access, with flat entry in and out through the garage. “Structurally it is an accessible house, although you might not see it,” says April.
A games room featuring a restored antique billiard table is located in the west wing. Here, hung on the grey painted walls – a departure from the palette of white, cedar and stone in the rest of the house – are two large, gold-framed portraits of Ian’s ancestors, creating a sense of history and adding to the many stories to be told in the home.
“That’s how this room came together,” says April. “We had this old pool table, the portraits, and an oak sideboard and barometer that were from Ian’s parents. So you have this modern house but what do you do with your precious sentimental items?”
The answer for Ian and April is that you embrace it, creating a home that acts as a reminder of your personal history, where you can live comfortably and reflect on your busy past, while enjoying a relatively quieter pace of life.
The Global Award winner will be announced in December in London. (Globals)
