G House Waikato holiday retreat, New Zealand property images, NZ residential building project, Architecture design

G House in Waikato, New Zealand property

14 September 2023

Design: Parsonson Architects

Location: Taupō, Waikato, New Zealand

Photos by David Straight

G House, Waikato, New Zealand holiday retreat

This lakeside home in Taupo sits on a flat sunny site looking west across the road to the lake. It is a holiday retreat and meeting place for a Hamilton couple and their extended family.

The site is long and narrow and the house is slightly raised and laid out to enjoy great lake views, while at the same time seeing private inside. There is a main living space that also opens through to a morning deck an barbecue area at the rear. There is a generous downstairs bedroom and an upstairs bedroom and multi-purpose space with deck and pergola.

The house has been designed to Passive House standards without being certified and requires very little heating and remains warm and comfortable through Taupo’s seasonal temperature differences.

What was the brief?

The owners wanted a relaxed, casual and playful house. One that was easy care, warm and practical for holidays and gatherings with family and friends. Places to store a boat, cycles, skis, etc. They have an older live at home son, who needed separate space.