Southern beauty
A unique location with commanding uninterrupted views of Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps beyond provide a cinematic backdrop for this luxurious and imposing home, from Johnston Architects and CDL Building.
WORDS Shelley Sweeney PHOTOGRAPHY Simon Devitt
This stunning residence in Roys Bay, central Wānaka, is perched on top of a ridge with a north-western aspect that is exposed to the elements and the extremes of the Southern Lakes climate. The project had an array of construction complexities that were managed with careful and detailed planning by the entire project team. CDL Building’s extensive experience in this type of construction within this challenging environment allowed for a successful project delivery.
CDL Building worked in collaboration with Johnston Architects and their skilled subcontractor network to build a unique home of exceptional creativity and unsurpassed quality. Their philosophy is to deliver unmatched excellence in architectural construction, and the collective approach from the project team wholeheartedly delivered this in the construction of the Roys Bay home.
INTERIOR The refined interior styling in subtle neutral tones complements this elegant home.
Justin Carnie from CDL Building notes that, “Durability is an often-overlooked factor when choosing building materials, and considering long-term maintenance requirements. We aim to select materials that will still look good in 20 or 30 years’ time, and won’t require their owners to spend their weekends and precious free time constantly looking after them.”
Johnston Architects took the brief to provide a four-bedroom ‘forever home’ with ensuite bathrooms to accommodate friends and family comfortably, as well as a generous kitchen, dining and living room space for entertaining and a study and sitting room to provide quiet and contemplative spaces. Garaging for two cars is complemented by a paved forecourt that allows a boat to be easily manoeuvred on its way to and from the lake.
Large gabled eaves over the predominantly glazed northern elevation protect the exterior and interior living spaces from intense summer sun while allowing the owners to enjoy the views. The three gable volumes are linked to form an ‘H’ shaped plan, with family spaces such as kitchen, living, dining and media rooms located centrally with more intimate bedroom and office spaces distributed from the social heart of the home.
Hokonui Kitchens and Joinery manufactured and installed all of the kitchen, wardrobes, vanities, laundry and internal doors. The Caesarstone kitchen and vanity tops lend the home an enduring elegance, and the hard-wearing solid oak timber has been given a dark stain to enhance the wood grain. The team at Hokonui were able to work with the client throughout the planning and construction of all joinery.
INTERIOR The dark wooden flooring and light furnishings echo the colours of the mountain and sky views.
Duane Tiplady Painting and Decorating expertly finished the gib stopping and painting throughout the home. Duane is a one-man operator who works closely with the CDL team to achieve the high standard required for the project. The confident relationship between himself and the CDL Building team is a winning formula. The shade of white selected by Interior Consultant Kay Gray and featured both inside and out, is Dulux Mt Aspiring lending an understated elegance that helps the surrounding views to pop through the picture windows. Wide architraves and elegant skirting were added to give a sense of space. It’s a fresh look that creates a seamless flow around the home.
Texture is introduced into the interior palette with the board-marked concrete fireplace, and grooved shadow-clad plywood ceilings and soffits to add visual interest.
The aluminium door and window joinery came from E13 Windows of Dunedin who chose New Zealand manufactured window system Pacific Thermal Suite, with Low-E glass to maximise thermal performance. The Pacific Thermal Suite is also capable of triple glazing and manufactured to an airtight standard to take this window system to the next level. This high-performance double-glazed aluminium joinery maximises the stunning views of the lake and also provides framed views from every room, including the high-level windows above the kitchen which offer views of the rugged hills to the south.
About Roofing continued with the elegant, crisp theme, using Colorcote Eurotray roofing in Ironsand. This New Zealand-inspired design offers clean lines and a uniquely robust and distinctive look on the three-gabled volumes that are the predominant form of the home when viewed from the north. Dave Strudwick from About Roofing said the biggest challenge with this job was the distracting view – often an occupational hazard in Wānaka.
EXTERIOR The triple-gabled roof line makes for a majestic silhouette on the Wānaka landscape.
The north-facing interiors place an emphasis on calm, light and airy spaces that form a neutral backdrop to the landscape beyond. The wind is a big issue in most areas of Wānaka, but especially prevalent within this particular site, which is located on an elevated ridgeline and orientated directly into the prevailing wind. Rough and Milne’s landscape response was to create several sheltered outdoor spaces and seating areas which maximised the stunning views of Lake Wānaka and the surrounding mountains, with options that provide shelter from the wind. There is also an outdoor seating area that is perfect when the winds are calm.
The landscape designers worked with the clients through several iterations and mini-stage of the design until they perfected it for them. They continue to maintain an ongoing relationship while discussing possible future developments. The team from McIvor Plumbers and Gas Fitters based in Wānaka worked hard to ensure the owners’ vision of this timeless architecturally designed home were fulfilled. The plumbing, drain laying, gas fitting and central heating all played a major role in the design. There is a diesel-based radiator system throughout the residence, two indoor gas fires from Escea and Living Flame as well as a stunning outdoor Escea gas fire. It was important for the McIvor team to work closely with CDL and the architect to ensure a successful completion.
Matt from Johnston Architects says, “While we’ve been lucky to have projects like the Roys Bay residence published or win design awards, we tend to measure our own success by how happy our clients and the contractors who build their homes are with the end result. The highest praise that we receive is referrals from homeowners or builders we’ve worked with – that’s when we know that we have done something right.” The successful partnership with CDL Building and their trusted network of contractors has done just that for all involved in this striking project.
INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT
BUILDER
CDL Building
03 443 9323
cdlbuilding.co.nz
JOINERY
Hokonui Kitchens & Joinery Ltd
03 208 6366
ALUMINIUM JOINERY AND WINDOWS
E13 Performance Windows
03 488 0344
e13windows.co.nz
ARCHITECT
Johnston Architects
03 326 6688
johnstonarchitects.co.nz
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Rough & Milne Landscape Architects
03 974 7940
roughandmilne.co.nz
PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING
McIvor Plumbers & Gas Fitters Wanaka
03 443 4211
mcivorplumberswanaka.co.nz
PAINTING AND GIB STOPPING
Duane Tiplady Painting & Decorating
027 473 6282
ROOFING
About Roofing
021 766 307
aboutroofing.co.nz
