The Queenstown hill presents a unique design challenge: how to make the most of the million-dollar views while also capturing the most of the sun before the light is lost behind the hill.  First Light Studio was approached to deliver two high-end homes on this unique and challenging site with a brief to create something truly unique when compared to the multi-unit development landscape of Queenstown.

Nicknamed Q1 and Q2, these homes were designed to both contrast and complement each other. The steep site of approximately 900sqm was split into two individual 450sqm sites, each featuring a 300sqm home.

Thoughtful design enables this two-unit development to prioritise the view, while providing outdoor spaces designed to capture all of the available daylight. Close in proximity but with a feel that is worlds apart, these homes showcase local materials at home in Queenstown including schist, timber plaster and steel. Thoughtful planting offers a low maintenance landscape that settles the dwellings into the natural surrounds of the hillside.

Built: 2022 | Engineer: Pocket | Builder: Alpine Projects

Photographs copyright of: Mickey Ross