Tilt Shift

This project is a holiday house with fantastic 180+ degree lake views in Queenstown. The site is steep, like many we deal with, and the design methodology explored the shift and tilt of the rock strata seen on site. Tilting and shifting materials and forms to create an abstraction, as a tilt shift photographic lens would do.

Working with the slope, orientation and dramatic views the design became two distinct forms. The ground level stone walls anchor the building against prevailing winds and recognise the rock forms of the hillside.

These are contrasted against the lightweight vertical cedar tilted form, which picks up the line of the existing contours. Between the dominant forms horizontal cedar is revealed to mediate and wrap around, connecting the anchored stone to the tilting vertical cladding.

The resulting design provides 5 bedrooms with en suites, and 2 living areas. There is a focus on providing options for guests to retreat or socialize, and to capture a number of different incredible views.

Photographer Ben Ruffell