top of page

Create Your First Project

Start adding your projects to your portfolio. Click on "Manage Projects" to get started

Silverwood House

Silverwood, Porirua, New Zealand

Architecture, Residential, New Home

2015

Architecture: Hamish Wakefield
Surveyor: Cuttriss Consultants
Engineer: Dave White
Contractor: Progressive Homes
Landscaping: Capital Paving
Interiors: Sue Faulke

Kerry Woodham

Photographer: Jason Mann

Design, Documentation, Observation

Set at the end of the Silverwood Estate ridgeline, this home takes full advantage of its steep slope and sweeping views, capturing the changing light from sunrise to sunset.

Commissioned as a lifestyle retreat for a Porirua couple with adult children, the house sits proudly on its hilltop site. The design is a collection of contemporary forms, referencing pavilion-style living in its floor plan while presenting a strong, carefully composed façade to the landscape.

Cut into the contours, the home is designed to hold its ground—enduring in presence as neighbouring houses emerge and landscaping matures around it.

The plan is arranged across three levels. The mid-level is the heart of the home, where living spaces open to two expansive decks and landscaped terraces, offering sheltered outdoor areas on the ridgeline. A central courtyard anchors the plan, creating a more intimate outdoor setting that connects the surrounding living spaces. Below, the lower level houses gym and storage areas, while the upper level accommodates guest bedrooms and office spaces.

When the clients approached us, they entrusted us with the freedom to shape the home around the site. Their brief focused on longevity, privacy, and making the most of the spectacular views without overcapitalising. With a passion for golf, their business, and entertaining, they envisioned a home that balances comfort, work, and hospitality.

The result is a highly visible yet private home, with a contemporary interior designed for both relaxation and hosting. Generous open-plan living areas connect seamlessly, while four bedrooms and the master suite are arranged for privacy. The master suite itself features a secluded bathroom and dressing area, creating a private retreat within the home.

Inside, the focus is on comfort and understated luxury. Interconnecting spaces flow easily, offering flexibility for gatherings both large and small. Natural light, layered materials, and a neutral palette provide a calm backdrop, with moments of richness introduced through furniture and finishes.

The material palette is simple and enduring: aerated concrete panels with a plaster finish form the primary exterior walls, complemented by weatherboard. Timber-pole retaining walls integrate into the landscaping, softened by planting and decking that settle the home into its hillside context.

bottom of page