This project was complex in many ways, firstly as it needed to function as a holiday home/high-end holiday rental with the view to becoming a full-time home when the homeowner retires and also because the site is very steep, like many we deal with in Queenstown, says Architect Stacey Farrell.

“Working with the slope, orientation and dramatic 180-degree-plus views, the design methodology explored the shift and tilt of the rock strata, tilting and shifting materials and forms to create an abstraction, much as a tilt shift photographic lens would do.

“The result is two distinct, yet connected forms. At ground level, stone walls anchor the building against prevailing winds and recognise the rock forms of the hillside. Above, black anodised aluminium vertical weatherboards create a protective sheath, sheltering inhabitants. Between the dominant forms, horizontal cedar is revealed to mediate and wrap around, connecting the anchored stone to the tilting vertical cladding.”

The design provides five bedrooms with en suites and walk-in robes—ideal for the rental market—and two living areas. There is a focus on providing options for guests to retreat to or socialise in, as well as to capture a number of different incredible views.

As well as the bedroom suites, there are multiple outdoor areas accessible from the main, open-plan living area with an additional living area on the third floor. Downstairs there is also a gym, sauna and outdoor jacuzzi.

Stacey says the site already had a house on it, which was demolished to make way for the new one with additional excavation works carried out to accommodate updated foundations, vehicle turning and garaging and rubbish bin storage.

“The site itself is quite generous in size—1209sqm—but the useable area was basically the footprint of the previous house. Accommodating everything the client wanted while ensuring the house respected the site was definitely a challenge; this is design mark II, the original design scheme was for something less rectangular.

“What we’ve ended up with though, perfectly matches the client’s brief to the site parameters— the house feels as if it’s digging its heels in; tilting and shifting to make the most of the view. The house comprises 185sqm on the ground floor; 208sqm on the upper floor, with an additional 28sqm living space incorporated into the ceiling void.

“Then, I was able to create more outdoor living by wrapping spaces around the toe of the bank. This area, back from the lake, already had established planting that we were able to start with and which creates a sense of shelter.”

Programmatically, the house consists of three bedroom suites, gym, sauna and outdoor jacuzzi on the ground floor, with a further two bedroom suites and living areas upstairs. Stacey was also able to borrow from the ceiling height to create a mezzanine floor for another, small living area. The fifth bedroom suite is located at the rear of the house and faces into the bank. To complement its ‘tucked in’ feeling, Stacey has chosen a palette of stone tiles and earthy tones.

“The outcome has been really successful with the home fulfilling its multiple functions perfectly. There are small touches that I really love, such as the ‘hit and miss’ screen that wraps around the dining/living area and the see-through fireplace—which I had to fight to keep as the client wanted a solid fireplace—that creates a clear line of site from the terrace area through to the lake. That, and the overall flow within the home is great.”

Words by Justin Foote.
Photography by Ben Ruffell.