"Adopting a vernacular aesthetic and simple form, this exemplary dwelling on a modestly sized site has been cleverly crafted to recede into its suburban context."

SCOUT

New Home - Wanaka, New Zealand Completed 2024 Unassuming this home complements, celebrates & embraces the receiving environment. The unconventional room arrangement and consideration of openings contributes to the experience. Spatial variety and interest within a compact building offers the chance to feel connected, grounded, alive and revived without overwhelm. The brief called for a refined yet versatile retreat—an inviting sanctuary for our clients, their friends and family for short-term & extended stays. Equally, the home needed to function as a permanent dwelling should they decide to relocate. The resulting design is a single-level, three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence, seamlessly integrating open-plan kitchen and dining areas with a sunken living space. A mezzanine with a balcony enhances vertical spatial dynamics, with off-street uncovered parking, all part of our client brief. Sited on a compact 450m² lot, a priority for the client and for us was for the home to be functional and spatially savvy. The layout prioritizes a sense of openness while framing uninterrupted mountain and lake views from both the main living area and the master suite. Circulation pathways and glazing have been curated to moderate light and shadow throughout the day and across seasons. The master bedroom and ensuite can be sectioned off, offering flexible occupancy—whether as a short-term rental opportunity or a private retreat within the main dwelling. Resourceful with space, with a ground floor GFA of 155m2 and a mezzanine/attic of 24.2m2 (total GFA: 178.5m2) this home feels considerably larger than the building footprint on the small lot suggests. This, for Intuitive was a challenge to demonstrate, its possible for homes to be functional, spatially savvy & offer subtle variation and surprise.