A Sculpture on the landscape

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 23

A Sculpture on the landscape

HIS month “At Home" looks at Ttwo Christchurch architects in their homes. ; ' When architects design their"\X own homes, they make a ’. statement about their\. perception of architecture in ?•.... general and ai?QUt houses, particular. •• - ? A Christchurch architect, lan Krause, chose a precipitously steep site at Charteris Bay, overlooking Lyttelton Harbour, to build his house. His house is a personal statement, echoing the hi-tech face of the commercial world he usually designs for. It combines comfort and practicality. Designing his own home gave him freedom from the constraints of clients’ requirements. The experience proved a catalyst for houses he has designed since — white houses with form standing out from their background. Uncluttered, clean lines and stark contrasts are the salient features of lan and Maureen Krause’s home. It has a sculpture-like quality reflecting the architect’s admiration for the sculptor, Henry Moore. Finding land in Charteris Bay was difficult; the bay was largely built out, when the Krauses were looking. The site they chose had probably been left for so long because of

> challenging six-metre drop from a rocky platform. - But lan Krause turned the site to his advantage; instead of the pole house the neighbours expected, he “climbed” the house up the rock face. .. The design of the house is “all about maximising the commanding views and making best use of the site.” ■ The views are like a series of prints and they are,always , ; « a . .. contrasting view. From the lounge you see Quail Island and Governors Bay, as a spectator of storms sweeping in from the south or the quiet calm of. a still day. The master bedroom and dining area overlook the local bay and activity on the water, a tranquil setting to wake up to, lan Krause said. In the kitchen it would be easy to be distracted from cooking by the superb vistas of Lyttelton. The house is at a good height from the water, close enough to feel part of it. It is an environment away from. the busy pace of the city. The white house is a dramatic contrast to the land forms around it. , “You can’t do better than nature, so I decided to be ■ completely different. “White brings out the colour of the other elements around — the green of the bush, the colours of the sky and rock,” lan Krause says. Fantails, finches and other native birds flit about in the trees. - ’ Outside lan and .Maureen Krause, who are keen gardeners, have taken great trouble to preserve the native bush. Daunting crib walls form terraces where a huge variety of plants can be tended more easily through dry summers.

Importantly,. the Harditex exterior and stainless steel spouting make the house almost maintenance-free. The simple, uncluttered lines of, the outside are repeated indoors. White ,is again used extensively in the decor, this time teamed with black arid grey, with touches of redfor a. ’ striking contrast. ... lan Krause has made a conscious effort to maintain continuity betweeri outdoors arid indoors, fromroom to . room. White ceramic Portugese tiles, are used outside the, front door, in the utility areas arid on the decks, which are used extensively to compensate for the lack of ground for . indoor/outdoor living. ' Big overhangs keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter. The black tiles of the benchtop are also used for the , vanity units. , . The walls are- painted white and relieved by the imported black suede cloth. ■ ' ' Colours have been followed faithfully throughout, from the duvet covers to the black surrounds of the recessed ~ lighting and the 50mm black PVC skirting. The furniture . has been custom built arid finished in black , lacquer. The silver-grey cut pile.carpet and a grey lounge suite soften the contrast of the black-arid white. " The house is on three levels, with variations to each level.. Logically, the open plan living area ,is on the same level as the entrance. Two bedrooms are on a lower level: Plenty of space has been allowed for storage/ ‘ •„. v _ Photograph: David Alexander Advertising co-ordinator: John Keys Editorial: Pauline Moore ' .