Maungawera

2025 / New Home

Located in Central Otago beside Mt Maungawera the site’s demands shift dramatically over the sweeping seasons. To accommodate this, the house became a home of two halves. A simple gabled form anchors the primary living spaces, directing the outlook toward Maungawera’s vista. To the west, the private living quarters are separated by a generous outdoor verandah.

Planes of locally sourced schist stone surround the home in a sense of solidity and protect it from the cold winds from the Cardrona Valley. At the front, the mass is carved away and softened with timber, where deep eaves hover over timber decking to filter sunlight, frame views, and create sheltered outdoor living. Whether it’s bright summer sun or low winter light with (hopefully) snowfall, the home supports the seasonal rhythms of this shifting Central Otago landscape.

The construction was carried out by the supportive team of Jimmy Cotter and Nigel Moore at PATRIX Ltd.

Photography by Bella Griffiths