Wanaka Retreat
Celebrating the natural landscape and breathtaking views of this world-renowned location.
As the cherished location of our family holidays for more than 30 years, Wanaka is a place that is very close to our hearts. With increasing tourism and global attention making it ever more difficult to acquire quality land here, we knew now was the time to secure our slice of southern paradise.
Wanaka is renowned for its breathtaking views of mountains and lake, however, not many properties can truly capture this. When we found the site at Ridgecrest we were immediately drawn to it; not only did its elevation offer unrestricted views in every direction but, at 4000sqm, there was plenty of room for us to build something large across a single level — another key requirement.
We set out to build a spacious holiday home for both current family and future generations to enjoy. We wanted it to be timeless, to respond to the surrounding landscape, and to stand up against the harsh, rugged southern elements.
The result is a 430sqm single-level home, distinctly split into two wings: one for living, and one for sleeping. The surrounding environment is celebrated through natural and local materials, with design features that prioritise energy efficiency and give a nod to the historic gold miners' cottages seen throughout the district.
Undertaking this project from the opposite end of the country presented a number of challenges. However, by utilising an effective project management structure and communication, we were able to achieve a finished product that we couldn’t be happier with.
Architect: Bell & Co Architecture
Photography: Graham Warman