A former neighbour who has formidable energy and motivation buys a bare plot next to their best friends’ home in Westport, just a few streets back from the main drag.

The friendly community vibe of Westport’s locals, and connecting with old friends, are making the transition from Wellington all the more worthwhile for the client.

‘You don’t need a bloody architect!’

‘Yes, but I want one.’

At least that is how I imagine some conversations went.

Conscious of not doing an architectural box among hips and gables (ie. not Walker Box v2.0), I’m aware that it’s nonetheless raised a few local eyebrows. The brief included, in order of importance: a view out to the southern alps; a view out to the sun set; no views in from nosey neighbours (best friend not included); a breakfast deck, gin room and hot tub for social gatherings; a ‘dress-up’ cupboard; a fire place for wet winter nights.

Oh! And a spot for the client’s lead-light windows of special importance. I meant that to be number one on the list!

A long, sheltered, slatted veranda, raised up on stilts, ‘Queenslander style’, provides the most quintessential of West Coast spaces. Concrete steps with built-in seating connect to the garden, which, with its natives – among them, and nikau –  will be lush in no time. A few pops of red timber- and metal-work contrast with the white weatherboarded exterior. Inside, coloured tiles of yellow and blue and some hand-made native timber pieces, create simple, joyful moments. A corrugated garden shed, with a few lead-lights of its own, completes the picture. 

Yes!

The leadlights!

While attending the house-warming, with the clients, their friends, their excellent builder, my parents (yes my parents were invited!), a white-bait fritter in one hand, gin in the other, I got the impression that we’ve landed a warm, liveable home for the client’s friends and family … the best sort of community.