Lake House

The Lake Hayes House by Ben Hudson Architects is a contemporary home clearly connected to the rocky, sloping alpine landscape above the shores of Lake Hayes, Queenstown, New Zealand.

The street facing façade reads as a simple low-lying solid form, with cues drawn from the traditions of stone-walled hidden gardens. The stone walls anchor the home to its site and provides privacy and protection for the owners. On entering there is a contrasting sense of transparency and lightness as the spaces open up to the lake and the mountain views beyond. Generous glazing accentuates the sensation of floating above the landscape.

A simple metal and glass-clad structure sits atop the stone wall, merging traditional and contemporary building materials. Clerestory-style windows peak over the stone wall, drawing in natural light and allowing views to the surrounding hills and the treetops which form a backdrop to the dwelling.