Arrowtown House

Arrowtown, 2008

Noel Lane Architects, Tom Rowe - Senior Architect,

"From the gravel driveway, a garden wall signals entry through a passage and into a glazed lobby. Rather than being taken ‘inside’, we’re now on the edge of a 14m2 open courtyard. A pathway leads through it to the living space, or we can circle the courtyard via a glazed gallery. The architect has brought the landscape inside, and in so doing inverted the typical New Zealand house plan. Two interlocking pavilions now form the ‘verandah’ for living, encircling a void." "Plan dimensions and roof pitch were carefully calculated to maximise the sun and view, and minimise the presence of house structure. At the same time, in a climate as cold as this, there was a need for solidity and warmth."

Andrea Stevens, Habitas Issue 11

“It is always difficult to compliment in a balanced way when only a few words are to be used. However, the cooperation/project/work with RB Studio has been uncomplicated and forward-looking.

A dialog with progressive ideas from both parties was established at once and that propelled ideas. Through different brainstorming sessions which were sketched up and visualized on paper.  I would say the best asset from an architect is to sense what the client sometimes cannot express and then materialize that in words and concept drawings.  Thereafter, the project gravitates towards great altitude.  

I have word with Tom/ RB Studio not only on one project but more and plan to return to them when my next project is in the pipeline.

Wishing you all an exciting time!”

J A