A home with a soul – New Zealand

The design brief for the Wanaka residence was to provide a home with a soul, that could expand and contract with the ebb and flow of family and guests. Located in Wanaka, New Zealand and designed by Three Sixty Architecture the house is made up of two strong pitched roof forms, connected by several flat-roofed forms floating beneath. The pitched roof elements run east to west in harmony with the site, maximizing views and solar gain. The timber screened entrance leads up a covered boardwalk to a glass pivoting front door.  Upon entry, the ceiling raises dramatically to follow the roofline.  After the initial release into the large main space, visitors are greeted with an intimate wall of vertical timber paneling – a textural, three-dimensional entry that leads into a kitchen and dining space, filled with natural light and majestic views pouring in.
The dining and living areas share a double-sided gas fire and have large sliding doors fringing both the north and south aspects to open to the views or protect from the prevailing winds. The glass link that leads to the guest wing is framed to the west by an outdoor rock pond.  To the east, large sliding doors open to an outdoor courtyard entertainment area with views through the house to the mountains in one direction, and water the other.
The material palette was selected with colours and shades that work in harmony with the surrounding environment.  Thermomass panels, Corten steel and smoked carbon stained timber on the exterior, through to a mixture of timbers, and warm, neutral tones inside.
LVL portals and band sawn tongue and groove timber form the central spine of the main building drawing the eye upwards and onwards to the triple glazed gabled ends where more views of the surrounding hills are visible.