Wanaka House
The brief for this project centred around enabling a Central Otago couple in their golden years to celebrate their passions for music, food and entertaining alongside their enjoyment of the breathtaking Wanaka vistas.
No space is wasted, and the arrangement cleverly resolves conflicts between views, sunshine and predominant winds
-NZIA NATIONAL AWARDS JURY READ MORE
The dramatic landscape is ever present, and the house connects to this and responds to the varying extremes of the local climate. The playful roof forms and design of the house draw inspiration from the original gold-digger bivouac shelters dug into the tough schist terrains of Central Otago more than a century ago. The house is conceived as a frame pitched against a rock, over which the roof is draped. An in-situ concrete wall runs as a spine north-south through the house and courtyards. This wall offers an anchor for the frame and undulating roof over head, and provides a practical thermal mass element for both heating and cooling.
The home functions beautifully, positioned perpendicular to the prevailing northerly wind so that it runs along the front face without gusting inside.
-Home Magazine Article, Read more
The house, as well as being stylish, is very comfortable to live in and easy to keep tidy, with heaps of storage space.
Our grandchildren love it - to them it is an exciting playground with several hidden cupboards, the stairs' landing is their stage, and they spend a lot of time in their magical bunk room.
At first glance, the house is deceptively uncomplicated – beautifully simple and simply beautiful!
-Kate & Doug, Read more
Tim's kids demonstrate the connection between the sheltered courtyard and front lawn on a windy Wanaka day.
