NZIA Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Award and Resene Colour Award.

Jury citation: “Situated on a Taupō lakefront, G House is a contemporary holiday getaway with a nod to disappearing mid-century modernist baches of our past. True to the early bach era, there is no front fence and a grassed driveway leads to a boatshed at the back. Generous morning and afternoon decks, a built-in barbecue area, expansive lawns and bay window seats provide a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Bespoke custom kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, ply and dowel open shelving and stair balustrades feature alongside a playful use of colour. With artistic flair and a touch of humour, G House is a masterpiece of Kiwi bach vernacular architecture and has become a landmark cherished by owners and locals alike.”

This lakeside home in Taupo sits on a flat sunny site looking west across the road to the lake. It is a holiday retreat and meeting place for a Hamilton couple and their extended family.

The site is long and narrow and the house is slightly raised and laid out to enjoy great lake views, while at the same time seeming private inside. There is a main living space that also opens through to a morning deck / barbecue area at the rear. There is a generous downstairs bedroom and an upstairs bedroom and multi-purpose space with deck and pergola.

The house is thermally high performing with air tightness layers and heat recovery ventilation, requiring very little heating and remains warm and comfortable through Taupo’s seasonal temperature differences.

Completed: 2021

Photographers – David Straight, Paul Brandon