Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/7 | Page 27

walkways to the guest suites and master bedroom and finally, a study on the top floor,” says
Gehl. “However, climbing the stairs isn’t the
only way to reach the top of this tower.
“A local specialist in competitive climbing
walls was asked to create one here for the stair
tower. This had to be suitable for both novices
and experienced climbers and have two selfarresting rappelling stations. We also stepped
the wall away from the windows – this prevents
any swinging accidents,” says McRae.
Furniture choices further the back-country
mining aesthetic and the contemporary accent.

The dining table is made from a large, uneven
wood slab, while the angled corner cabinet was
designed by the architect along modern lines.
A year after building was completed, the
house was retrofitted with a geothermal heating
system, which draws on the warmth of the
ambient ground temperature. In a semi-remote
area served mainly by propane gas, this has
resulted in savings of 75% on power bills.
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Facing page: This guest suite builds
on the exposed structural appeal, but
tie-rods are used to hold the framing
together rather than beams. Rungs
on the ship’s ladder extend across
the wall to form a desk and shelving.
This page: The master bedroom has
a fireplace that looks as if it has been
there for a hundred years.
Story by Charles Moxham
Photography by
Benjamin Benschneider

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