b'pictures: Suellen BoagAroundyears ago, the Raes began building theirand a living area with a coved ceilingnished in tongue- vehome;asingle-level,rammed-earthhouseinand-groove macrocarpa. On one side of the living spacesrst Bannockburn, just south of Cromwell. An historical gold- is a guest wing and an of ce, with the master suite at the mining district, where sluicing has left its mark on theother end of the house.land, the Cromwell/Bannockburn area is also known asWhen it came to sourcing the primary material for their the fruit bowl of the south for its abundance of orchardshouse, the Raes didnt have to look far. They dug the earth and vineyards. directlyfromtheirownproperty.Withrammed-earth Sitting on a small knoll, elevated off the valleyoor, theconstruction, cement is used to stabilise the earth and house is oriented to make the most of the climate, andthe walls cure over time, taking about two years to dry the stunning views of Lake Dunstan and the surroundingout. The sustainable macrocarpa timber used for framing mountain ranges.andwas also sourced locally around Tapanui,nishing from old wind belts. As well as macrocarpa ceilings, theResene As farmers, were used to having a lot of space aroundHoneymoonus, so we just loved the outlook, says Shona. A lot ofhouse has deep macrocarpa reveals and windowsills thatResene people comment on the relaxed feel of the house, andconceal the aluminium framing.Starbellthats exactly what we were trying to create.Having admired the architecture of local vineyards, such as the Springvale Estate in Alexandraone of therst rammed-earth wineries in the areaShona and Danny werekeentoreplicatethislookandconstruction. Dunedin-basedarchitecturaldesignerRichardWilden was commissioned to help them transform their ideas into a comfortable, sun- lled family home, bringing his experience in rammed-earth construction and vernacular architecture to the project. Takinghiscuesfromthelocalhistoricalarchitecturewith its pitched roofs, lean-tos and earth constructionRichard worked with the Raes to develop the design. It incorporates a centrally located kitchen and dining room, | 39'