herbst architects builds K valley house in new zealand from recycled materials

herbst architects builds K valley house in new zealand from recycled materials
all images by lance herbst

situated on a farm 90 minutes drive from auckland on new zealand’s north island, this residential property has been constructed from largely recycled materials and fittings. titled ‘K valley house’ — a name which references the project’s location in the kauaeranga valley — the home has been designed by herbst architects for a couple who are both involved in the film industry. as their jobs mean that they are on location for expended periods of time, the brief called for a dwelling which served as a retreat between filming.

the dwelling is situated on a farm 90 minutes drive from auckland

the building’s small mass has been condensed into a singular geometric form that contains all of the home’s living areas. ‘we positioned the form straddling the ridgeline, engaged with the slope at the high end and floating above the land as it falls away,’ explain the architects. ‘drawing from the vernacular of rusty corrugated iron sheds prevalent in the district, we clad the form in a rainscreen of rusted corrugated iron sheets, a rural camouflage of sorts.’

the property has been constructed from largely recycled materials

primary living accommodation is contained within an open-plan double-height volume that includes areas for cooking, dining, and lounging. the property’s sleeping quarters are found within an elevated timber-clad enclosure above. the plot stretches from the hillside to the river banks and includes a ridgeline that commands sweeping views across the farmland and native bush below. as well as engaging with the site on a cinematic level, the scheme allows the client to live self sufficiently — growing their own crops and rearing their own livestock.

primary living accommodation is contained within an open-plan double-height volume

the downstairs is surrounded on three sides by glazing

view of the rafters from the home’s upper level

the plot stretches from the hillside to the river banks below

the building’s small mass has been condensed into a singular geometric form

the scheme allows the couple to live self sufficiently — growing their own crops and rearing their own livestock

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