The Back Country House, located in a small settlement in New Zealand, is one architect’s attempt to provide a comfortable home for his family, while also creating a building that has a tangible link with its rugged surroundings.
Designed by David Maurice of LTD Architecture, this simple but beautiful house consists of a ground level, which is the main living space and features space for cooking, dining and relaxing. A terrace helps the building connect with its surroundings, and a thoughtful outdoor fireplace means this exterior space can be used all-year-round. There are even two outdoor baths, so residents can feel at one with nature while they recline in the tub.
A sloping roof caps off the upper level, which features the master bedroom that can neatly double as an office. Other bedrooms and utility spaces are nestled into an annex on the ground level, making this a spacious home for a small family.
The building’s exterior draws inspiration from the traditional huts found throughout the local settlement, especially the slanted iron roof. The cladding is locally-sourced Macrocarpa timber, to ensure the building will eventually weather and look like a natural part of its surroundings.
