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Project Details:

Location: Ophir, Central Otago, New Zealand

Architect: NOTT Architects

Builder: Down to Earth Builders and Shamrock Builders

Structural Engineer: Paula Hugens

Photographer: Biddi Rowley / @biddirowley

From the Architect: “We worked closely with the clients to form a raw house for a raw landscape. They are a middle-aged couple with dog who relocated to the area from Wellington. They have a background in graphics and branding, and they brought their storytelling skills to the project.

“The brief was to design a house that was strong but simple in form, merged with the landscape, and had a sustainable story. The house was to be contemporary but not ostentatious, fitting into its surround, respectful to its environment, and sited to capture the expansive views. Inspired by the arid and desert-like conditions, we looked to architects who’ve designed homes in similar landscapes around the world, like Rick Joy, who’s know for his sophisticated desert architecture and often works in rammed earth. We were keen to undergo an earth building that was contemporary and avoided the hippy, wobbly vibes of other earth building precedents.

“It was decided we would allow a series of ‘buildings’ to work together and minimize the scale of the build. The result is a small studio space with bathroom amenities as additional guest room/office and the main house that the couple were to live in predominantly to be the centerpiece. This includes a living area with a kitchen connected via an outdoor room/breezeway to the main bedroom and bathroom.”

“The site is located above the small town of Ophir located in Central Otago, New Zealand. Ophir is a remote one pub, one shop town located between Alexander and Ranfurly. The location being one of the most stark and desert-like in New Zealand became a key driver to the design outcomes for the site. The choice of rammed earth as a building material was discussed for many reasons and one of those was siting and context. As the house is situated at the front on top of the hill the clients wanted the house to be as inconspicuous as possible. The fairly visible location from ‘town’ and the fact there is very little light pollution and excellent star gazing conditions meant the house needed to blend into its background.”