The Journey of Designing a Home in the Mountains of New Zealand (House Tour)

The Gatehouse by architecture firm Patterson Associates Architects and interior design practice Sonja Hawkins Design depicts the journey of designing a home in the mountains of New Zealand. The Local Project’s house tour illustrates how this dynamic house near the base of the famous Remarkables mountain range and its complex build rise to the exemplary topography whilst being sympathetic to the surrounding rural fabric.

The journey of designing a home as compelling as The Gatehouse is nuanced, as is the decision to build such a bold home. The architecture and interior design were conceived holistically by Andrew Patterson and Sonja Hawkins, and as such, the house is a seamless blend of materials and ideals with a showstopping staircase crafted from timber and steel. The home consists of two buildings – one stone and one timber – and in the house tour, the architecture and interior design are presented against the backdrop of New Zealand’s incomparable landscape, including the mountain range in the distance and golf course nearby.

In the journey of designing a home, The Gatehouse draws on medieval influences in its interpretation of a portcullis – a historical architectural feature best described as a rising door or enclosed outdoor room typically found at the entries of castles or medieval estates. This gateway, crafted from timber and steel, leads to the custom staircase, which corkscrews through the stone building. The thick oak treads cantilever without a centre pole; “stairways to heaven should float,” Andrew comments.

Beyond this, the kitchen and shared family areas unfurl to the views of the landscape and mountain range beyond. Central to the journey of designing a home, the kitchen is both a social and functional space for the family. It features a full suite of Fisher & Paykel appliances integrated into timber cabinetry and views to the surrounding environment. With a large island bench and hidden scullery, there is ample room for food preparation, and the Fisher & Paykel appliances heighten the cooking experience.

The Local Project’s house tour illustrates the complexities involved in delivering such a resolved build, and the journey of designing a home in New Zealand’s incomparable landscape. The details are beautifully executed, the views perfectly captured, and there is much merit in this. Yet, at its very core, The Gatehouse is just as its name suggests, a dwelling that is “protected, quiet and all about people,” as architect Andrew describes – not only hitting but exceeding its seemingly humble brief.

00:00 - Introduction to the Home in the Mountains
00:38 - The Vision of a Flexible Home
01:09 - The History of the Central Mountain Location
02:03 - A Focus on the Apertures
02:29 - Connecting the Interior and Exterior Material Palette
03:52 - An Entertainers Space
05:10 - Favourite Aspects of the Home

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Photography by Sam Hartnett.
Architecture by Patterson Associates Architects.
Interior Design by Sonja Hawkins Design.
Build by Trinity Construction + Projects.
Landscape by O2 Landscapes.
Engineering by Ruamoko Solutions.
Appliances by Fisher & Paykel.
Filmed and Edited by Cadre.
Production by The Local Project.

Location: Arrowtown, New Zealand

The Local Project acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa New Zealand. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.

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