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Collection by Allie Weiss

House of the Week: A Sleek Modern Home Is Also Family-Friendly

Every week, we highlight one amazing Dwell home that went viral on Pinterest. Follow Dwell's Pinterest account for more daily design inspiration.

The site of this family home outside Queenstown, New Zealand is in a slight depression, and surrounded by mountains, so architect Bergendy Cooke kept the footprint small and built upwards to give access to the views. Inside, family-friendly details abound, including a custom bunk bed.

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The architect specifically chose a palette of natural finishes, including the polished concrete floor that flows the length and breadth of the ground level. By way of contrast, the couple’s eclectic collection of much-loved vintage furniture, including Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs, an Artemide lamp, and this 50-year-old sofa by mid-century Swedish designer Arne Norell, provide color and warmth. “The bookcase also makes use of space to add layers of texture. Books are always a great addition to any interior,” says Cooke. The Beni Ouarain rug was purchased on a trip to Morocco.
The architect specifically chose a palette of natural finishes, including the polished concrete floor that flows the length and breadth of the ground level. By way of contrast, the couple’s eclectic collection of much-loved vintage furniture, including Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs, an Artemide lamp, and this 50-year-old sofa by mid-century Swedish designer Arne Norell, provide color and warmth. “The bookcase also makes use of space to add layers of texture. Books are always a great addition to any interior,” says Cooke. The Beni Ouarain rug was purchased on a trip to Morocco.
Architect Bergendy Cooke, who worked for Zaha Hadid and Peter Marino before returning to her home country in 2007, is an admirer of the strong, sculptural architectural forms that appear in Japanese and Spanish architecture. Outside Queenstown, she put her ideas into practice in a home that would be the benchmark for bc+a studio, her own venture. The combination bunk bed and playhouse is a whimsical gesture the architect designed specifically for her two daughters. The spaces are organized in such a way that they can play independently or together.
Architect Bergendy Cooke, who worked for Zaha Hadid and Peter Marino before returning to her home country in 2007, is an admirer of the strong, sculptural architectural forms that appear in Japanese and Spanish architecture. Outside Queenstown, she put her ideas into practice in a home that would be the benchmark for bc+a studio, her own venture. The combination bunk bed and playhouse is a whimsical gesture the architect designed specifically for her two daughters. The spaces are organized in such a way that they can play independently or together.
Cooke clad the building in a black-stained, sustainably-grown Canadian cedar, a durable choice that ages well and requires little maintenance. The dark glazing was chosen so windows appear seamless, accentuating the form of the building.
Cooke clad the building in a black-stained, sustainably-grown Canadian cedar, a durable choice that ages well and requires little maintenance. The dark glazing was chosen so windows appear seamless, accentuating the form of the building.