Twice as nice

Two leasable townhouses stand together with complementary cladding and scenic overhangs – double master bedrooms in each allow for two families per dwelling

The architect excluded gable forms in favour of

The Corten steel surfaces will weather over time.

Black fenestrations complement the rugged cladding choices.

Hanging out for sunshine and views of the

The main living areas are upstairs. - Twice

Kitchen cabinetry echoing aspects of the cladding.

The living space is scenically situated in the

Designed by Tony Koia, Koia Architects Queenstown

From the architects:

Brief

To create two modern townhouses suitable to let for visitor accommodation or for sale.

Two families able to stay together and therefore increase return.

Interiors to have two master bedrooms with a second living area/bunk room for children with minimum one car garaging.

Design

We were in the fortunate position of having written the design guidelines for this 10-Lot development located behind the twin, multi-level apartment blocks, for which we also designed and completed the overall master plan.

We excluded gable forms in favour of sloped roofs to capture northern light and slope with the land.

Allowing sun into these dwellings was critical to an otherwise permafrost location in winter.

Natural materials and finishes were prioritised – concrete, cedar, larch, stone, Corten and mild steel, with stains preferred to paints.

This was all to better fit into the environment and become part of it, rather that transpose a dwelling onto it.

The sites had a significant slope on loose, fine gravel so it was decided to anchor them into the site as far to the river as we dared, to allow for a small courtyard to the northern side of the houses to open onto.

Kitchen, dining and front patio. - Twice as

The two townhouses were always a pair, clad in alternating Corten and vertical ship-lapped cedar.

They spring from the hillside over the Shotover River below, with their long raking living space.

The interiors alternate, too – one has a dark palette, the other a light palette.

The forms blend with nature and rise above the trees plus extensive planting has been completed to engulf the dwelling in time.

Interiors

Inside, the whole of the ‘ground’ level is dedicated to an open-plan kitchen, dining, living space, with a large picture window at the far end of the room drawing you in to view the incredible view out over the Shotover River.

Operable louvres, high up on the other end of the room, modulate the northern light.

The first master bedroom/bathroom is on a split level to the upper floor, with the main master to the bottom floor, along with a third bedroom and second living/overflow space.

This was to allow two families with children to inhabit together comfortably.

I like the way these homes read together and it seems to heighten the tension by repeating the forms and contrasting the materials.