Max Herriot and John Melhuish | Fort Dorset House, Wellington

Since forming HMA in 1997, Max Herriot and John Melhuish have successfully completed many award winning projects throughout New Zealand, including single and multi-unit residences, specialist commercial buildings, galleries and wineries.

















This is an example of Max Herriot and John Melhuish project in single residence, a family home on a steep Wellington site. This family home is a composition of simple geometric forms inserted into the hillside and held together by the strong horizontal roof plane. Assuming bulk and location of future neighbours, the house works to maximise the sun and views while maintaining a level of privacy within the subdivision. Solid cement sheet forms with punched glazed openings address the neighbouring sites. These forms latch onto the more weighty plastered concrete blockwork walls. The remainder of the house is a lighter exposed steel structure with large glazed walls.


























The garage and entry are placed on the lowest level so the bedrooms and living spaces are elevated to make the most of the views. The house steps up the hill to give the rooms connection to the exterior creating terraces and access to the upper levels.

















A visual connection from the kitchen to the dining, lounge and family room that we can look up at the interior of this house.