STRAWBALE SLEEPOUT, RIWAKA
This little building for owner/builder/architect was built to provide additional sleeping/living space on a largely self sufficient rural property. The idea was to create an environment that was quite different from the family home and which could have many uses - sleeping, music, party, meditation, Sustainability, passive solar techniques, recycling, crafted detailing - all these principles are expressed in a no compromises way. The simple uncluttered space sits in the garden with its back to the main house.
Designed to allow low angle sun to hit the terracotta mosaic floor the straight edge of the semi-circular plan faces north with porches on both the eastern and western ends. The gabled roof floats across the walls supported on recycled hardwood posts which have been brought to a smooth finish. The straw bale walls were built after the roof and their curved plan has the effect of creating an illusory curve to the ceiling. Plaster using local sand and sawdust, timber joinery from recycled Oregon, macrocarpa ceiling, handmade timber and steel handles, onduline roofing made from recycled cardboard, hessian rope trim - everything used has been chosen with authenticity and sustainability in mind. The mosaic floor is made using terracotta roof tile offcuts and stones from all over the south island. The recycled Victorian barge boards mounted on the western gable end have the appearance of the carved barges seen on carved barges of a whare nui - an accident that could not be more appropriate in this location close to an early pa site.
Design: Min Hall
Builder: Rita Davies
Mosaic floor: Rita Davies
Joinery: Bill Schoffelmeer
Plastering: Alan Cederman
