When you've got beautiful mountain views, chances are you also have a highly exposed site. The design of Alpine Vistas makes the most of the views and also creates sheltered outdoor space for the best of both worlds...
While the site in Wanaka in New Zealand's Central Otago Alpine Region enjoyed stunning views, the exposed site made outdoor activities a breeze (and not in a good way). The owners envisaged a flexible home that would make the most of the site and where one or two of the bedrooms could be leased to holiday-makers without intruding on the living areas.
Intuitve Architects developed an L-shaped floor plan which solved all of the problems in one. Two pavilions are seperated by a low-ceilinged entry. The living areas are in one pavilion, while the bedrooms, each with its own external access via full-height sliding doors, are in the other. The design means the living areas can enjoy overlooking the full expanse of the site with views in both directions. The L-shaped arrangement of the pavilions, like outstretched arms, creates a sheltered outdoor space.
From the outside, Alpine Vistas has the same quintessential house form as other homes in the area, but thanks to vertical timber siding and a striking black roof and contemporary detailing, it feels modern and refined, yet equally humble and comfortable in its surrounds.
Inside the palette is hard-wearing yet warming and rich with texture. Concrete floors soak up the sun's warmth while plywood walls and ceilings bounce a golden glow throughout the home.
The main living space is open-plan with cathedral ceilings creating a generous sense of space. The lounge area is sunken to create an intimate conversation pit around the fireplace. The sunken lounge is also a way to subtly define spaces within the open plan.
Alpine Vistas makes the most of its stunning location and achieves the flexibility required by the owners to create a uniquely charming home. With robust yet character-filled materials the home feels warm and comfortable and will only get better with age as the timber greys and the home settles into its environment.
