DUKE HOME

Wānaka

Set against the backdrop of Lake Wānaka and the Cardrona Valley, this contemporary holiday home was designed to feel like home from the moment you arrive. While conceived as a getaway, the architecture anticipates a seamless transition to full-time living, a space that both lifts the spirits and anchors daily life. 

Every design move was guided by what mattered most to the client. From the outset, the brief emphasised warmth, light, and connection, a home that would be comfortable, easy to live in, and distinctly theirs. The result is an architecture that responds with generosity and restraint, balancing character with calm. 

The design centres around the kitchen as the social hub, a place to cook, converse, and gather, opening seamlessly to both living areas and a sheltered outdoor terrace complete with fireplace. Views to the lake and surrounding mountains are framed through large expanses of glazing, filling the interior with natural light and linking the home to its alpine setting. 

Light tones, tactile finishes, and careful detailing establish a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic. A focus on maintenance-friendly exterior claddings and high-performing heating systems reflects the client’s wish for durability, comfort, and efficiency, a home that feels warm year-round and is easy to maintain through Wānaka’s changing seasons. 

Three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms provide for family and guests, while every element, from material selection to spatial proportion, was tailored to reflect the client’s aspirations. Distinctive yet understated, this home is the outcome of a collaborative process: a contemporary retreat shaped by design, guided by values, and built to be lived in with pride.