Facebook Tweet Help Stories New Home New Zealand TIDA Homes Falling water Share Tweet Help Private and lapping up the views, this contemporary, stepped home features a series of water experiences leading down to lake edge Designed by Gary Todd ArchitectureFrom the architect:The story of this house begins some years ago when our owner chose this site as their place to holiday by the lake in the original cottage.When it came to building a new and permanent home, the lake, its water features, the steep narrow site, poor land bearing, restrictive planning rules, and close neighbours, informed and defined the ensuing design.The owner brief sought a contemporary residence that was both elegant and sophisticated and provided a luxurious sanctuary away from their business.Spaces were to range from intimate to entertaining, be secure and private, and maximise connections to lake shore activities and the panoramic mountain views while controlling sunlight and wind. Layered approachThe design response is a home with layered living zones, facilitated by extensive cut-and-fill methodology and a multi-level contemporary stepped building form in scale with adjacent houses and the lake reserve.Embedded into the landscape, its terraced format cascades down the site, with each level embracing lake and mountain views and maximising solar gain.The materials and colour palette are deliberately pared back – concrete, composite aluminium cladding, and large-format porcelain tiles – all extending seamlessly from the exterior to the interior and vice-versa, with honed exterior textures polished on the interiors. All about the waterArchitectural water features – including an entry reflection pond, cantilevered concrete swimming pool, infinity waterfall, catching pond, and spa pool – are all linked in a journey of sensory experiences that enhance well-being as you progress down through the layers of the house to the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu.Enduring designIn essence, this home has delivered the optimum environmental, social, economic, and sustainable brownfield site reuse for a contemporary luxury home, with indoor to outdoor living spaces that give our homeowner a private and secure lifestyle in context with the lakeside setting.The home’s design, materiality and style are contrary to the Queenstown vernacular in that it is unashamedly contemporary, of international quality, and will endure well into the future. Good for the environmentGreen Star and Living Building Challenge strategies inform the design and specification of this project.It is envisioned that this home will have a reduced impact on the environment because of its longer lifecycle approach to construction and materiality.Other factors and considerations include:Thermal comfort from passive solar design with superior insulation, designed and achieved by high-performance energy modelling.Thermally broken aluminium triple glazing, roof overhangs and louvred roofs control solar heat gain and loss for reduced cooling and heating demands.Water restrictors on fittings minimise use and reduce the stormwater drainage loading.Solar water heating and energy-efficient appliances and systems reduce post-build costs.Low-energy LED dimmable and colour-changing lighting, designed strategically for mood-changing ambience.Low VOC paint and air conditioning systems maintain healthy indoor air quality.Unique contextual architectural water features and endemic plantings are introduced to enhance biodiversity outcomes and foster greater biophilic connections with nature.This an individual home that has overcome challenges to celebrate lakeside living in New Zealand. Credit list Architecture Gary Todd Architecture Kitchen designer Gary Todd Architecture Interior designer Owner Pool Mayfair Pools Roof Sealco TPO membrane Window/door joinery Vistalite Bedroom flooring Feltex Carpet, from Carpet Court Paint Resene Fireplace Escea gas fire Control system Automation system from Strawberry Sound Awards Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Runner Up Builder BJ Hill Kitchen manufacturer Howley Joinery Landscaping Southern Landmarx Cladding Alucobond, from South Island Architectural Composites Louvre System Johnson & Cousins Opening Roof Main flooring Porcelain tile, from Live House Bathroom tiles Porcelain Tile, from Live House General heating Ducted AC System, from Davies Heat'n'Cool Feature lighting LED colour changing lights, from ECC Lounge furniture/dining table/dining chairs Trenzseater Designed by: Gary Todd Architecture Story by: Trendsideas Photography by: Marina Matthews, John Williams, Grant Johnson 19 Nov, 2023 New Home New Zealand TIDA Homes Trendsideas Home kitchen bathroom commercial design Latest Post Falling water 01 Dec, 2024 Surface attraction 01 Dec, 2024 Farmhouse with flair 01 Dec, 2024 We know the Specialists Related Book More Books > New Homes We have got all the best ideas and advice to help you with your plans and ideas. Read More Similar Stories