These 2 houses (unbuilt) are perched high above Shelly Bay, Wellington Harbour and accessed via a cable car from below.

The northern house is nestled on the hill amongst the trees and looks out to the harbour and hills, over the new foreshore buildings. A perch from which to admire the beauty of the harbour and a private retreat from the activity below. Sheltered areas at both the top and bottom of the cable car are provided for access.

The house is composed as a series of stacked wooden boxes orientated towards different outlooks and wrapped with a protective metal ‘cloak’. A tall house is created that sits elegantly, like a tree house, amongst the tall trees on the hillside, while providing sunny, light and open spaces with wonderful views.

The house has a large open plan living area on its’ middle level, with an expansive north and west facing deck and windows and doors allowing a multitude of views out towards the harbour and hills. There are places to sit in the sun at different times of the day and this level also allows access the out onto the land to the north and up to the roof deck via an external stair.

The upper level contains the main bedroom, with ensuite, dressing room, study area with sheltering eaves and a roof deck with superb 270 degree views. The lower level contains two or three bedrooms depending on requirements. All levels are linked with a lift.

The southern house is composed with a ‘floating’ upper level, sitting on a solid base and supported by exposed structural members. The house is clad in natural oiled vertical timber cladding of varying widths and depths in reference to the textures of the tree trunks in the surrounding bush. This combined with the abstracted, branch-like structural elements creates a dramatic form that sits up high amongst the trees overlooking land and sea.

There is a large open plan living area on the upper level, with a west facing deck offering 180 degree views, and an enclosed deck (wintergarden) facing north off the kitchen, which receives all day sun and provides an indoor/outdoor room that can be opened up or closed down depending on the wind and weather conditions. This space also allows for views back up the hill to the east.

The arrangement of indoor and outdoor living spaces offers flexibility in the changing weather conditions throughout the day.The middle level contains a very generous main bedroom with superb 180 degree views out under a large sheltering overhang, with ensuite, dressing room, laundry and storage area. The lower level contains two bedrooms, a study and storage area. All levels are linked with a lift.