Akitu House #2
THE QUICK LOWDOWN
Nestled on the foothills overlooking Lake Wanaka, this family home is a study in the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. Part of a trio of homes, it maintains a unified aesthetic while asserting its own distinctive presence. A curved larch rainscreen, inspired by woven eel trap baskets, wraps the upper level, providing privacy and solar shading while visually anchoring the home to its surroundings. The result is a residence deeply connected to place, where materiality, landscape, and design converge seamlessly.
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
Positioned to take full advantage of expansive lake and mountain views, the home integrates naturally into the hillside. The primary living spaces and main bedroom are elevated on the upper level, wrapped in the dynamic timber rainscreen, while secondary bedrooms and a rumpus room are set into the landscape below, enveloped in locally sourced schist stone. This layering reinforces the home’s relationship with the land, ensuring that each space maintains a strong visual and physical connection to its surroundings.
The wraparound deck on the first floor extends the living areas outdoors, offering residents a place to fully immerse in the breathtaking scenery, while carefully placed openings ensure uninterrupted sightlines to the lake and beyond.
DESIGN DRIVERS
Central to the design is the interplay of craftsmanship and modernity, reflected in the curved timber rainscreen, a sculptural element that enhances both functionality and aesthetic identity. Inspired by the woven eel traps of local Māori traditions, it introduces a textural rhythm that reinforces the home’s narrative connection to the lake. Constructed from charred larch timber, the screen softens the facade, providing solar control while allowing filtered light to animate the interiors throughout the day.
Beneath this, the solid schist base grounds the home in the landscape, ensuring that the structure feels rooted and enduring. The combination of timber and stone establishes a material dialogue that honours the natural surroundings while maintaining a contemporary edge.
LIFE INSIDE
The layout prioritizes flow and spatial coherence, with open-plan living areas that transition seamlessly between indoors and outdoors. Expansive glazing maximizes natural light and ventilation, enhancing both energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The interior palette embraces natural materials, reinforcing a sense of warmth and tactility while complementing the home’s external form.
With the main living and sleeping quarters positioned on the upper level, privacy is maintained while ensuring that the most frequently used spaces benefit from light, views, and passive solar gain. Meanwhile, the lower level remains grounded and intimate, ideal for retreating from the openness of the upper floor.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
The realization of the curved rainscreen required exceptional craftsmanship, with each timber element meticulously shaped and assembled. The complexity of this feature demanded highly skilled detailing and execution, reinforcing the home’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
Balancing a contemporary architectural language with a deep connection to nature was another key challenge. Through carefully considered materials, passive design strategies, and a fluid spatial arrangement, the home achieves a sustainable and enduring presence within its remarkable setting.
