Situated on the edge of Whanganui, the van Dalen House is a 3 pavilion, 2 story, country house. The plan and form take what would be a large house and break it down into pavilions. These pavilions allow the investigation of smaller scale fine features, such as the exposed rafters to the roof edge, the facings and sills to windows, and the timber slatted pergola elements over doors. 

The clients requested that the house have something of a traditional feel whilst recognizing that the modern family lifestyle benefits from an open plan and easy access to the outdoors. The landscaping design was incorporated into the architecture to reinforce these key ambitions. 

Colour plays an integral part in the expression of the house. The decision to paint the house almost black came at the very beginning, and the window placements and timber trims were detailed to allow the black and white theme to be clearly expressed. The result is a timeless, apparently simple, warm, nurturing family home.