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Part of a new development on the outskirts of Queenstown, this family home is only revealed as you approach it around a rocky outcrop. It is completely private and yet has wonderful views across the site to the mountains beyond, says Architect Anne Salmond.

“The site came with a number of constraints dictated by the developer—which are designed to maintain the integrity of the surroundings—including that the house could only be single storey. The building platform was in a natural depression and we wanted to make the most of the views, which drove the monopitch roof form.

“Similarly, the pavilion style gives you views and light from both sides and while the H-shaped plan does spread the house out, it provides great outdoor spaces, internal privacy and is acoustically sound.”

The other benefit of the single-storey arrangement is that all of the main rooms open to the outdoors, establishing an easy relationship between the house and its surroundings—a big advantage for the owners, who have moved from the high-density environment of Hong Kong to this wide open space.

Another ‘must have’ for the clients was a need for high thermal efficiency, says Anne.

“The owners were used to being in a warm climate and wanted the house to be warmer than usual for a New Zealand home. A naturally boggy area on the site gave us the ability to install a ground source heat recovery system for much less than would normally be the case.

“This, coupled with double and triple glazing, really good air-tightness and an arrangement on the site that maximises solar gain means the home has very good thermal performance, ensuring that even when it’s snowing outside it’s still very warm inside.”

The choice of exterior materials was driven in part, says Anne, by the need to camouflage the house from a distance, as per the conditions set down by the developer.

“Timber warms and softens residential buildings as well as helping bed them into the environment. We used a slightly greyed-off stained profile and narrower boards, which can move a bit more than wide boards without being overly noticeable.

“We also painted the soffits dark, which has worked well in keeping the house unobtrusive in the landscape. A Corten steel front door, a request of the owners, adds a further textural element that also complements the surroundings.”

Inside, the palette has been kept light and warm, with feature tiles and stone and timber accents to add contrast and texture.

“The clients had a lot of furniture and art which they brought with them, so the interior acts as a backdrop to these pieces. We incorporated a lot of built-in elements, such as shelving and window seats and the hallways are wide enough to be used as another space rather than just circulation corridors.

“The house was a real pleasure to work on, it sits within its context beautifully and I’m pleased to say the family really uses the whole house and it does what they required it to do. It accommodates their needs now and will continue to do so as the family grows.”

Words by: Justin Foote
Photography by: Graham Warman Photography

Salmond Architecture
Otago
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Nestled into an idyllic rural property—part of a new development near Arrowtown—this family home is only revealed as you approach it around a rocky outcrop.
Nestled into an idyllic rural property—part of a new development near Arrowtown—this family home is only revealed as you approach it around a rocky outcrop.
The site came with a number of constraints dictated by the developer—which are designed to maintain the integrity of the surroundings—including that the house could only be single storey.
The site came with a number of constraints dictated by the developer—which are designed to maintain the integrity of the surroundings—including that the house could only be single storey.
The building platform was in a natural depression, so in order to make the most of the views, the architect designed the home with a monopitch roof form.
The building platform was in a natural depression, so in order to make the most of the views, the architect designed the home with a monopitch roof form.
This house is arranged as three interconnected pavilions in a loose H-shape. This meant that view corridors could be opened up on both sides of each pavilion and also to maximise the amount of natural light entering the home.
This house is arranged as three interconnected pavilions in a loose H-shape. This meant that view corridors could be opened up on both sides of each pavilion and also to maximise the amount of natural light entering the home.
Corten entry doors add a further textural element to the scheme and also complement the rugged nature of the surroundings.
Corten entry doors add a further textural element to the scheme and also complement the rugged nature of the surroundings.
The main living areas are open yet separate thanks to the clever incorporation of built-in elements lending a sense of separation.
The main living areas are open yet separate thanks to the clever incorporation of built-in elements lending a sense of separation.
A casual living area leads onto a large deck, which is accessed via full-width stacking sliders.
A casual living area leads onto a large deck, which is accessed via full-width stacking sliders.
Triple-aspect doors and windows—including clerestory windows above the bar area—ensure the interior of the home remains light-filled throughout the day. A modern take on the classic 'black and white' scheme keeps things clean and crisp.
Triple-aspect doors and windows—including clerestory windows above the bar area—ensure the interior of the home remains light-filled throughout the day. A modern take on the classic 'black and white' scheme keeps things clean and crisp.
Set up to entertain, the galley-style kitchen features a large island bench with raised seating area. The dark stained timber cabinetry contrasts the neutral palette, while statement doors add a touch of texture.
Set up to entertain, the galley-style kitchen features a large island bench with raised seating area. The dark stained timber cabinetry contrasts the neutral palette, while statement doors add a touch of texture.
Handleless cabinetry and integrated appliances keep the working heart of the kitchen sleek and unobtrusive.
Handleless cabinetry and integrated appliances keep the working heart of the kitchen sleek and unobtrusive.
A large picture window frames the formal dining area creating a vignette of the view beyond.
A large picture window frames the formal dining area creating a vignette of the view beyond.
Built-in window seating was one of the requests of the owner and is found throughout the home, creating comfortable perches where the inhabitants can follow the sun throughout the day.
Built-in window seating was one of the requests of the owner and is found throughout the home, creating comfortable perches where the inhabitants can follow the sun throughout the day.
This snug and relaxed lounge is the perfect space for the family to collect in at the end of the day to watch television or to simply enjoy each other's company.
This snug and relaxed lounge is the perfect space for the family to collect in at the end of the day to watch television or to simply enjoy each other's company.
The hallways are wide enough that they can be used as another space rather than just circulation corridors, coupled with the window seat, this area makes for a cosy reading nook.
The hallways are wide enough that they can be used as another space rather than just circulation corridors, coupled with the window seat, this area makes for a cosy reading nook.
Subtle earthy tones and textures define this ensuite bathroom while the classic-style tapware contrasts the sleek nature of the bath and basins.
Subtle earthy tones and textures define this ensuite bathroom while the classic-style tapware contrasts the sleek nature of the bath and basins.
Light, bright and airy is the order of the day for the main bedroom.
Light, bright and airy is the order of the day for the main bedroom.
A number of outdoor areas around the house extend the living capability of the home providing the family with multiple entertaining options.
A number of outdoor areas around the house extend the living capability of the home providing the family with multiple entertaining options.
All of the primary rooms, including the main bedroom, lead out onto decked areas, establishing an easy relationship between the house and its surroundings.
All of the primary rooms, including the main bedroom, lead out onto decked areas, establishing an easy relationship between the house and its surroundings.
The natural depression in which the house sits leant itself perfectly to the inclusion of a semi-subterranean wine cellar.
The natural depression in which the house sits leant itself perfectly to the inclusion of a semi-subterranean wine cellar.
Perfectly insulated, the wine cellar nestles back into a natural outcropping.
Perfectly insulated, the wine cellar nestles back into a natural outcropping.
Stone and timber accents add warmth and texture to the exterior scheme and help in keeping the house unobtrusive in the broader landscape.
Stone and timber accents add warmth and texture to the exterior scheme and help in keeping the house unobtrusive in the broader landscape.
Completely private within its setting, the house enjoys wonderful views across the site to the mountains beyond.
Completely private within its setting, the house enjoys wonderful views across the site to the mountains beyond.

About the
Professional

Award winning NZIA Registered Wanaka Architects

We are committed to designing high performing buildings that are sustainable over the long term, sympathetic with the landscape and appropriate in their context. Through a creative design process, we help our clients to achieve their vision for new projects.

Salmond Architecture has been involved in residential, commercial, retail and community architecture throughout New Zealand since 2002.  Based in Wanaka in the Queenstown Lakes District, we are people focused and work collaboratively with our clients to ensure that we design for both current and future building users.

We enjoy working with other consultants and building contractors to ensure quality, time, and cost expectations are met.  We also consider our responsibility to the wider context in which the buildings we design are placed, involving ourselves in urban design and sustainable design at both a project and community level.