Conroy Architects
Paramata House
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This is an example of what you get from us at the end of Stage Two (Developed Design).

Our brief was for an large flat area for parking business and private vehicles while pushing the house towards the higher part of the site to make the most of some amazing water views.
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This became a balancing act between creating good gently sloping access, exploiting the views while providing privacy from adjacent properties, and reducing excavation, structural and retaining costs.
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The brief was to design a 4 double bedroom house with a main bedroom isolated from the other bedrooms but adjacent to the living areas. This was achieved by creating an independent bedroom block positioned at 90 degrees to the rest of the house. Access to the Living areas is via a small bridge which looks down on the entry below, but more importantly provides a subtle disconnection from the family type rooms.
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The final result was a concept that utilized the site is a sensible but dynamic way. The imagery clearly speaks of sea, wind, and views.
Residential
Cole Court Yard
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This is a current project of ours and although it is only in design stage we felt compelled to show it off!~

The aim was to create enclosure within an exposed windy environment, yet retain good views, within a functional plan that includes the existing house as part of the mix. The approach to any rural property is always via a vehicle and hence the typical country courtyard house with stables/garaging on one side and living quarters on the other. This house ‘tips its hat’ at that idea, by creating a large fully enclosed vehicle courtyard surrounded by the existing house (albeit redesigned), a new Living Room block, and
a garage / workshop block.
We used the natural slope of the land to direct the wind flow over the top of important outdoor areas, and created selective walls and planting to fully enclose the outdoor courtyard.
The design process was reasonably complex, as there was an existing building to be considered and incorporated into the whole complex. The link between each block was made by a walkway element that continues around two sides of the courtyard. The importance of this element is visual as well as practical.
The general feel is that of rural/wine country NZ with large exposed timber trusses and open fire places, but it also uses sensible modern materials to sharpen things up just a little, and ensure functionality & buildability. It’s a ‘have your cake and eat it too’ approach. Suffice to say the clients are happy (and so are we).

Stay tuned for updates.
Taupo Holiday Home
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This holiday home is co-owned by two families. Other families also use the home on various occasions (some times separately and sometimes as one large group). It needed to be totally usable, with robust low maintenance materials inside and out. The owners wanted people using the house to feel comfortable and ‘on holiday’, and the materials needed to reflect this. The answer was to create a long low house with two identical bedroom ‘wings’ at each end, divided by a large common living space. This provides privacy between the bedroom areas, while encouraging the group as a whole to party.
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The shape / construction is: simple, buildable, cost effective and easy to maintain - just what is required for a multi-use holiday home. There were obvious economies to be gained by replicating each bedroom unit, yet the kitchen area is shared (not unlike a camp ground).
Sensible passive solar design and site setout helps to counteract those temperature variations often experienced on the central plateau. The house is sited on the east-west axis and is long and relatively narrow which means we can catch both the views and low level winter sun right into the depth of the space, while closing off and insulating the southern wall (and the neighbouring house). Mid summer sun is controlled by a carefully calculated eave overhang and good cross ventilation.
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Good environmental design without being gimmicky or expensive.
Fly-Over of Paramata House
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