Bargour Residence, Wānaka

With Mount Maude magnificent in the distance, this family home in suburban Wānaka makes the most of a sloping site, balancing expansive alpine views and sunlight with a strong sense of privacy from the street. The design responds directly to the site’s topography, using the fall of the land to create a series of distinct but connected spaces across the home.

The house is formed by two intersecting wedge-shaped volumes, carefully positioned to capture views towards the surrounding mountains while making the most of the available northern light. The geometry also helps break down the scale of the building and creates a clear relationship between the different areas of the home. Warm cedar cladding is paired with dark window joinery, with the windows stepping down with the slope of the site to reinforce the building’s horizontal form and connection to the landscape.

Entry is positioned at a half-level, creating a simple and efficient transition between the different zones of the house. A half-flight of stairs leads upwards to the family bedrooms, while a short flight descends to the main living areas and guest accommodation.

At the centre of the interior, a double-height foyer and library provides a strong architectural focus. Floor-to-ceiling shelving, an access ladder and mezzanine level create a more intimate reading space within the larger volume, while the mezzanine provides views towards the mountains.

The foyer and library also look onto a private western courtyard, designed as an outdoor extension of the living spaces. Here, afternoon sun can be enjoyed around a built-in barbecue and circular schist-clad fire pit, creating a sheltered setting for outdoor living and entertaining.