High above Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, a modern home designed by Condon Scott Architects takes full advantage of one of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes. Positioned on a steep site overlooking the water, the house captures wide views of the lake and surrounding mountains while maintaining a quiet presence from the street.
From the outside, the design appears restrained and carefully composed. Yet the architecture is deeply shaped by its surroundings, opening toward the landscape and creating spaces that respond to both sunlight and shifting weather conditions.
A Challenging Site
The project began with a difficult piece of land. The site slopes steeply downward toward the lake and includes a rocky escarpment that cuts diagonally across the property. Building on this terrain required careful planning and problem solving.
Lead architect Barry Condon described the project as a complex but rewarding challenge. Each site, he explained, brings its own set of conditions that shape the design process. In this case, the steep landscape demanded creative solutions that could respond to both the topography and the client’s goals.
The homeowners wanted a family residence that would make the most of the views while also offering outdoor space that could be used even when strong winds moved across the lake.
Designing Within the Landscape
The steep terrain was not the only complication. The property sits on a rocky outcrop, which made construction more demanding. At the same time, strict local height restrictions limited how tall the house could rise once it extended beyond the escarpment.
To stay within the 7 meter height control envelope, the architects developed a design that stepped with the land rather than sitting above it. This approach allowed the home to remain low and carefully integrated into the hillside while still opening outward toward the view.
Two Wedge-Shaped Structures
The final design organizes the house into two wedge shaped structures that step down the slope. Their angular forms allow the building to sit beneath the height limits while responding to the changing levels of the site.
The southern wedge faces the street and contains the guest bedrooms. Its stepped metal cladding subtly reflects the internal level changes within the structure.
The northern wedge is oriented west toward the wide lake view. This volume contains the everyday living areas along with the master bedroom suite, placing the most frequently used spaces in direct connection with the surrounding landscape.
Both volumes are finished with matte black metal and wood siding, giving the home a strong yet understated architectural character.
A Courtyard Sheltered From the Wind
Between the two wedges, a lower roofed connector links the structures and forms a protected courtyard. This space was designed specifically to address the strong winds that can move across the lake.
Accessible through a glazed corridor, the courtyard offers a place to enjoy the morning sun while remaining sheltered from the elements. Garden planters and greenery soften the darker exterior materials, bringing a sense of calm to the outdoor space.
The courtyard becomes an outdoor room that balances exposure to the landscape with protection from the weather.
A House That Opens to the View
Inside the home, the focus quickly turns to the landscape beyond. Large windows and sliding doors connect the interior to outdoor terraces and frame views of Lake Wakatipu.
The main living areas are designed as an open plan environment that encourages relaxed everyday living. As residents move through the house, glimpses of the lake appear before the full panorama is revealed in the living space.
Here, oversized panes of glass stretch toward the horizon, creating the sensation of floating high above the water. Above, a wood ceiling integrates hidden lighting that produces a gentle glow, adding warmth to the open interior.
Bedrooms With a View
In one of the bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors create an uninterrupted connection to the lake. The wide expanse of water and mountains beyond almost resembles a painting framed by the architecture.
The primary bathroom introduces a darker palette, with large format tiles covering the walls and floor. A white freestanding bathtub and countertop stand in contrast to the darker surfaces, creating a striking focal point.
Elsewhere in the home, a second bathroom adopts a lighter color palette, offering a softer atmosphere while maintaining the overall simplicity of the design.
The Layout of the Home
The floor plan reveals how the house is carefully organized across the steep terrain.
By working with the steep landscape, Condon Scott Architects created a Queenstown home that balances shelter and views. The result is a family house that sits quietly within its dramatic setting while opening fully to the lake and mountains beyond.