Welcome to our very first monthly newsletter!

We are very excited to share with you our passion for stunning and excellent design in Architecture, Interior and Landscape design - and the importance of integrating your design.

Every month we will feature something in each of the design disciplines that we have found interesting and of course, we will tell you why and hope that you will find it interesting too!

We will also feature some of our latest projects, what we have been up to and any up-coming projects we think you may like to know about.

You have received this newsletter as you are a very valued friend, client or associate - thank you.

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We look forward to bringing you more gorgeous 'stuff' next month...

Our very best wishes to you in great design and gracious living.

Chris and Robyn MacPherson

Architecture, Interior & Landscape Design

www.macarch.co.nz

07 823 5124

021 432 979

Architecture

We love this simple design. Symmetry and attention to detail - with a touch of assymetry. Its' simple and uncluttered form is elegant and convincing. This house was designed by American Architect Louis Kahn.

With a vaulted ceiling, this house has provided us with the inspiration we were looking for to launch the first of our 'Cube Series' - Small Houses by MacPherson Architecture Ltd.  See below to read more about this.

The Perforated House

This is our theme for this month - simple, unencumbered eco architecture. By Kavellaris Urban Design, Australia - this house makes use of operable walls, doors, curtains and glass walls. We think it is such a clever architectural manipulation of space  - another inspiration for our 'Cube Series'.

Beautiful Interiors

I recently discovered a company in Auckland importing fabulous, authentic Italian furniture. From Modern to Classic pieces, any taste can be catered to. The timelessness of these exquisite and often handcrafted pieces of furniture have been an exciting discovery. While they are imported, you can add your own preference in fabric or finish. If you would like more information contact us or view sarsfieldbrooke.co.nz

A note from the importer...Angelo Cappellini based in Cabiate, Italy is a family run business who exhibits in only two places in the world, Milan & Moscow. Their treasures were first exhibited at the first world fair in the late 1800’s & are proud to have their product in some of the finest homes, hotels & political residences in the world. These are very special pieces manufactured to traditional methods by artisans whose talents are becoming more scarce.

The investment piece

Arte Veneziana is again a family run business manufacturing in the tradition of the true glass masters of Murano. Based in Venice, Italy they are at the heart of the birthplace of this style of furniture. Every piece is made from scratch by craftsman of incredible talent. Each piece can be customized to your requirements giving you a one off article that will stay in your family for generations. These pieces are well worth a trip to Auckland to view - I know you would be blown away! View more...

Colour Business

'Colour Business' by Chivasso - Unique fabrics,  is a sparkling, colourful collection of florals, stripes and checks, complimented by a series of plain colours. Combined together they create a relaxed and vibrant effect. The clever use of complimenting wallpapers provide an exciting textural element to your interiors. We are excited to be offering these beautiful ranges of fabrics, wallpapers and Bloomingdale lamps from Unique for our clients' furnishings, cushions and drapes. To see more fabulous colour for your interiors click here...

Outstanding

An outstanding collection of multipurpose fabric from Unique with excellent technical properties for outdoor use and stunning designs for soft handle for interiors. Designs include jacquard, broad stripes, grids and textured plains. The colour palette includes taupes, black, white, red and navy. The couch is stunning. I just love these fabrics and I especially love the couch. Designed and manufactured by an Australian company called Eco Outdoor it is hand woven in coconut leaf cores (buri), individually tied with abaca rope and tied down by translucent wires over a hand sculpted frame of light steel and brilliantly named 'croissant'. Please contact us if you would like more info on this...

Duchamp in the pink...

Another spot of colour by NZ manufacturer, Montreux Furnishings. These are beautifully hand made custom pieces of soft furniture. The workmanship and quality in great fabric or NZ Tasman Leather is impeccable - and our clients love the end result! See more

Landscape Architecture - Where modern meets classic

This beautiful photo sent to us by David Lord Cowell of Willowbrook Park is a fabulous yet unexpected addition to a classic Georgian home. The cloister - in simple, detailed form punctuated by the box hedging, is stunning - certainly not difficult to achieve. An interesting mix of materials which works really well. Once again, it's the attention to simple detailing and very clever lighting, which gives it the ambience.

Simple and stunning

This epitomises the 'square' person. If you are a circle, chances are you would prefer a perennial border! Either way, you have to admire the symmetry and simplicity using a recurring theme.

Now for a bit of our news...

This exciting project was built for the fabulous views of Lake taupo and Mount Ruapehu. Using South Island Schist, Cedar and Copper - it compliments the landscape perefctly. We have loved being involved in this holiday home project. The living areas and courtyard  trap all day sun providing a wonderful sense of enclosure. More photos...

Gorgeous new holiday home

The entrance cloister into the courtyard and living areas.

Tiling detail

All three bathrooms of this holiday home are detailed using imported Travertine and Bluestone Listello Chair Rail tiles by Everstone. Plano tapware imported from Italy creates a perfect compliment. The tiled walk-in shower is not only wonderful to use but also fantastic to keep clean! We are very excited to be launching our new website next month 'mytiles' where you can view this beautiful range of imported porcelain and crystal glass tiles. This is an exciting new addition to MacPherson Interior Architecture and we look forward to sharing it with you next month. In the meantime, if you would like to see more interior shots of these beautiful tiles click here

Spring Tulips on the terraced gardens

Each year these terraced gardens sport a beautiful new colour! Last Spring it was Tulips. We love going back to vist gardens Chris has designed. The owner had propogated her own bulbs with a stunning end result! Read more...

Stunning Arbor

Structure in your garden adds volume and interest. Set on 150 acres in Taupo, this arboretum was designed and planted by Chris over 15 years ago and we went back just last year to see it again.... Thanks to Chris' passion and love of horticulture, we are very excited to be launching our new website 'mygardens' where we will feature fragrant, edible and climbing plants as well as wonderful design ideas for your potager or vegetable garden and tips for the season. Watch for this in next month's newsletter. To see more photos click here.

In progress...Willowbrook Park Manor House

We are very excited to have been commissioned to help our clients realise their dream of building a classic Georgian Manor House with Carriage House and Chapel in the Waikato. The architectural documentation is almost complete and we are looking forward to bringing you monthly updates on its' progress. Our clients have spent the past two years planting and developing the 25 acres on which this will be built - we would love you to follow their blog on willowbrookpark

Watch for next month's update on the models...

Or you can see more 3-D modeling here

Introducing 'The Cube Series' - Small houses by MacPherson Architecture

We are very excited to tell you about the first of our houses in the 'Cube Series'. This 3-D rendition of the eco house will feature solar panelling, photo-voltaic cells, water harvesting and the immaculate use of small spaces with a vaulted ceiling to give the  sense of space without taking up too much space or cost to build! Constructed in steel post and beam with solid Hebel Block infill. Fantastic thermal and acoustic rating. Passive ventilation, in-slab water heating. Double glazed with low E glazing.

This is a perfect design solution to your first home or investment. Modern, minimalist interiors featuring a pull-out bed from the office wall and dining table extending out from the kitchen bench, laundry integrated into the bathroom . You can follow this progress on our website, the plans will be available online by the end of May 2010.

Cube House Elevation

Signature cube windows following the staircase.

Cube House with Canopies...

Another 3-D variation on the model...