It's not just large houses that impress both the judges and the public in architecture awards.
Compact houses also shine, as seen in the 2019 Otago/Southland ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards, held on Friday 26 July.
Daniel Friedrich, of DF Design-Sustainable Architecture, won the Residential New Home between 150m2 and 300m2 Architectural Design Award for Twin Peak House in Jack's Point, Queenstown.
The house draws inspiration from its wider landscape and has a strong connection to the outdoors. This is achieved with high raking ceilings and large clerestory windows, carefully placed to take in the rugged peak views.
At the rear of the home, there are two north-facing courtyards that connect to the living, kitchen and rumpus. A cladding of natural larch was specified because it turns a "beautiful silver-grey colour" when it ages. Other features include a dramatic schist feature wall in the living area.
The judges said the design is uncompromising on arrival but opens magnanimously to shared indoor and outdoor spaces. "The wonderful timber cladding resembles tattooing or the lines of an etching. A strong form that makes for some really nice design moments."
They also said, "fire and ice meet in this lovely home, centred on a spectacular living space".
"The fireplace is backed by a schist wall and framed by custom triple-glazed windows that look out to snow-clad mountains. A toasty refuge in the southern wilds."