With a deftly angled roofline and an external material palette that combines the warmth of wood with linear metal cladding, Penrith Peaks by Condon Scott Architects is designed as a low maintenance holiday home located in Wānaka, New Zealand.
In creating the design, architect Barry Condon worked around a number of site and setback restrictions due to historic planning rules, dating back to a time when the area was considered semi-rural, as well as an adjacent walking track with sightlines into the property. These were mitigated through a careful spatial arrangement, with the living room situated to the west and the roof tipped to capture eastern morning sun. This also allows for views across the lake and provides opportunity for that sunlight to be soaked up throughout the day in the living areas.
For full enjoyment of the clear skies while providing protection from the wind that comes in off Lake Wānaka, Condon created a rear courtyard tucked into the slope of the site.
“The glazing to the rear terrace allows views through the house so we can maintain connections to the lake and mountain views whilst being out of the weather,” he says. “This location has stunning views, especially from the upper level across the lake towards Treble Cone, Black Peak and the snow-capped Alps beyond.”
From the street, the home has a clear contemporary aesthetic, with the lower storey featuring vertical timber panelling, which is stained in a recessive dark tone that gives a floating aspect to the metal-wrapped upper floor. The rich timber tones seen on the upper balcony carry through to the interior walls and ceiling, where they are juxtaposed against a cool white kitchen.
