For this large section on Queenstown Hill, our client wanted to build three individual structures overlooking the lake – one for them to live in and the other two for short-term rental accommodation.
The brief was for a series of relatively small 'cabins' – the Queenstown version of a tiny home.
They wanted the design to be a very simple, modern style. The incorporation of lots of glass was requested to make the most of the views of the lake and to create the feeling of being outside, even when you're inside away from the wind on the hill.
It was important to our clients that the cabins be situated in a way that allows the residents to enjoy the views, but also have enough privacy without feeling like people in the other homes are looking in on them.
Lastly, they wanted each of the homes to have enough storage space for bikes and skis that most people have for the Queenstown lifestyle. So there were quite a few specifics we wanted to incorporate into this design of multiple units on one steep site – all within a stringent budget.
When a client is very specific about what they want – even within restrictive sites and budgets – it's sometimes easier to meet all the requirements with unique designs and layouts.
We started with the idea of creating modern, minimalist homes with clean lines and floor-to-ceiling glass. We gave the cabins a unique look by placing glass in front of the frames and giving them high stud, rake ceilings. Both of these features create a bright and open feel to the homes. We were also able to incorporate partially roofed over, sheltered outdoor spaces for the two smaller units.
The larger home, which sits highest up the hill, has an outdoor deck on the lakeside as well as a patio on its north-facing side. With these outdoor spaces and the large glass walls, the residents can enjoy the views from inside or outside, regardless of the wind and weather.
It was important that we didn't have the homes all looking in on each other, while still enjoying the views. We did this by layering the homes down the steep slope. The one on the top looks out above and past the roofline of the second home, which then looks out without restricted views of the third house below. Their positions are staggered so that they don't sit directly on top of one another.
Access to the homes on the slope is by way of purposeful landscaping and steps that we designed from the road to each of the homes. There is a feeling of connectedness while also one of privacy and separateness.
The end result ticks all the boxes for our clients. They have three separate dwellings on the hill, each with its own private stairway, plenty of storage, and unobstructed views of stunning Queenstown.
What we ended up with is a clever use of space and gorgeous designs that satisfy all the requests of the client brief. We designed a two-bedroom, one-bathroom main dwelling, where the client/owners will live. The other two houses will be one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabins that are fully self-contained with kitchen, laundry and storage.
Multi level architecturally designed home in Queenstown's Arthurs Point.