Houzz Tour: A Wanaka Holiday House for Two Families
Two families built a holiday house together, so they can gather at their favourite mountain holiday spot whenever they want
Two families – one living overseas – one holiday house, and an out-of-town designer. It could have all gone horribly wrong, but according to all involved, not only did the project run smoothly, it now functions as a great meeting point for friends from across the globe. The house also won the Otago/Southland Regional ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards for colour and design, and new builds under 300 square metres.
“The first words on the brief were ‘bring some of your North Island style to the south’,” she says. “And no schist; they wanted a point of difference.”
Both sets of owners felt that the local rock had been overused and preferred something more modern. They wanted something that felt solid, hunkered down in the land for snowy winters and the cold southerly winds, but lovely and open for summer breaks. The site was close to town, overlooking a reserve and the lake with the stunning mountain ranges as backdrop, but there were neighbours close by that they didn’t want to overlook.
Both sets of owners felt that the local rock had been overused and preferred something more modern. They wanted something that felt solid, hunkered down in the land for snowy winters and the cold southerly winds, but lovely and open for summer breaks. The site was close to town, overlooking a reserve and the lake with the stunning mountain ranges as backdrop, but there were neighbours close by that they didn’t want to overlook.
Council rules in that area are pretty tight: Blake had to fit in a lot of house while covering only 35 per cent of the site and staying within the height restrictions. The house was on a rise above the street, so by digging into the hill, Blake has managed to tuck in a basement garage that doesn’t hulk over the street, and keep outdoor living close to ground level.
With the U-shaped floor plan, the house turns its back to the harshest weather, is granted lake and mountain views for both the living and back bedroom wings, and creates a sheltered north-facing outdoor courtyard.
The front door is tucked at the side of the house, reached by an alpine-style gravel path. Rocks from the area and some hardy alpine plants make up the no-maintenance garden.
Blake blurred the boundaries between inside and out, continuing the exterior honed concrete block and stained vertical cedar walls into the entry. The oak stairs lead up half a level to the living rooms, and down to the basement garage where there is plenty of storage for toys and gear, including a full drying room for ski gear.
Floors are polished concrete in the entry, for easy clean-up, and oak everywhere else. Across the courtyard behind the windows is a glimpse of the media room, a cosy second sitting room that allows the kids to be out of the adults’ way with a movie when the house is full and the weather packs everyone inside.
Floors are polished concrete in the entry, for easy clean-up, and oak everywhere else. Across the courtyard behind the windows is a glimpse of the media room, a cosy second sitting room that allows the kids to be out of the adults’ way with a movie when the house is full and the weather packs everyone inside.
“The site just leant itself to this form,” says Blake. “Lots of glass means good flow to the exterior. The sliders disappear into cavities to provide a seamless link. The wings mean that we could still get northern sun and lake views in the main bedrooms.”
Cantilevering the deck over a dark basement makes the house seem light and low, which required some careful engineering. Covered porches protect from wind and sun, but Blake laughs that, coming from the warm North Island, it was the first time she’d had to design for snow-loading. She added extra strengthening and slope on the roof and wide gutters to carry the snow melt.
Cantilevering the deck over a dark basement makes the house seem light and low, which required some careful engineering. Covered porches protect from wind and sun, but Blake laughs that, coming from the warm North Island, it was the first time she’d had to design for snow-loading. She added extra strengthening and slope on the roof and wide gutters to carry the snow melt.
The covered outdoor room can be used in all but the worst storms, and the wood fire is both sheltering and useful: it is used for cooking as well as admiring. Discreet heaters supplement the fire on the coldest days.
Digging the house into the hill also meant that the deck was an easy few steps from the lawn, perfect for free-range kids to run around. Always, the focus comes back to the mountains and lake views.
Blake carved the large open-plan space into more comfortable zones, using changes in ceiling heights to add cosiness to the sitting room.
In summer the walls slide away to the deck; in winter the focus turns to the fireplace. Passive-solar design brings as much natural warmth into the house as possible through large, north-facing windows and only minimal windows to the south. Block heat-sink walls, double glazing, and extra insulation cope with the extremes of heat and cold.
Interior designer Prudence Lane made the finishing touches to the rooms. A cosy window seat was a must. It is a favourite curling-up spot whatever the weather, catching the last of the afternoon sun.
Lane worked with Auckland kitchen designer Cronin Kitchens to install one of their signature sleek white islands with plenty of storage hidden behind the no-pull drawers. The families wanted something stylish and easy-care, with room for plenty of cooks to work together.
Right beside the kitchen, this dining zone is generous to fit all the family and friends. An entry door is to the right, and the bedroom wing leads off from the left. A high window on the southern side allows a glimpse of the mountains, while maintaining the families’ privacy from the neighbours. The wooden table with steel legs was another must-have for the clients, and was shipped from the Raglan workshop (a repurposed surfboard factory) of bespoke furniture company WRW & Co. The owners love the rugged scars on the recycled wood surface.
Because both the families like to be there at the same time (and rent it out to groups when they aren’t using it) the house has two master bedrooms, plus a twin room and a bunk room for the kids. After supervising the build, Blake was invited to test the design of the finished house: she was very happy to holiday there. “We were very lucky,” she says.
There is one ensuite bathroom, as well as the shared family bathroom, that is sturdy enough to stand up to the crowds, with both a tub and a shower.
TELL US
How would you share a holiday house with friends and family? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
How would you share a holiday house with friends and family? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here: Two holidaying families; one Auckland-based, one based overseas
Size: 283 square metres; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Location: Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand
Architectural designer: Diana Blake Design
Builder: Turnkey Homes
When Blake, whose practice mainly focuses on holiday homes at the beachside towns of the eastern Coromandel two hours from Auckland, was offered the chance to stretch into this mountainside location on the South Island, the opportunity was too good to pass up.