Situated in the southwestern corner of a rear sloping site, the Redwood House overlooks an established area of Wanaka and captures views that stretch west to the lake and the mountains beyond. Terraced landscaping has been established around the home to further conceal it upon approach and enhance a feeling of solitude within suburbia.

The home has been designed to accommodate an expanding wider family with a strong passion for the outdoors.

A rear courtyard serves as both a graduated entry to the central living area of the house and a sheltered outdoor living area, contrasting the exposed nature of the opposite deck that opens the house to the western views.

Influenced by the sloping site, the adjoining garage is elevated above the main house at the driveway level and contains a lofted office space above that captures views across the roof plane of the house to the lake and mountains beyond.

The central living, kitchen, and dining spaces act as an active junction between the master suite on the northern end of the house and the bedroom wing to the south east. Sliding doors with a high thermal specification enable a strong indoor/outdoor connection between the warm toned interior and the impressive Wanaka horizon.

SIPs panel construction provides a primary structure with a high level of thermal performance, airtightness, and energy efficiency. Combining this with passive design building principles such as airtight taping of SIPs junctions and window openings, the home integrates a healthy and comfortable living environment year-round.

As a result of the sloping site, a singular roof plane has been used over the main house, minimising the roof-to-wall junctions that typically generate insulating and weatherproofing complexities. The singular roof plane meant that deep eaves incorporating minimal fascia profiles could be cantilevered out from the main structure and remain consistent with the low profile nature of the homes appearance.

A palette of natural timbers were combined to integrate a raw and textural aesthetic on the exterior and a tactile but softened warmth on the interior. Over time, this palette has developed to coexist with the native planting in a harmonious manner.

Photographer: Dion Andrews