Koia Architects

Lake Wakatipu House

Otago - New Zealand - 2012

Australian couple Anne and Bryan Oliver always dreamt of building a holiday-house for themselves, their family, and friends. On the edge of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island, their dream came true. Together with Koia Architects, they created a picturesque lake house that mixes tradition with innovation. Recycled local materials combine with Reynaers Aluminium solutions to create this little piece of heaven on earth.

ConceptFolding 77 Aluminium Sliding & Folding Doors and ConceptSystem 77 Aluminium Windows - House Lake Wakatipu House located in Otago, New Zealand

Four box-like units, clad in timber and stone, greet you when you come down from the hill towards the water. Consisting of local and re-purposed materials of the little shacks that used to stand on the plot, Anne and Bryan’s new hideaway blends beautifully with the lakeside setting. Being a Kiwi herself, Anne really wanted to include local materials in her new holiday-house, like schist stone and rimu wood. Additionally, the couple chose large windows and sliding doors with narrow frames to make our home one with the amazing nature around us.

Local materials featured in this holiday home honour the local native culture.

But the outside and interior really come together in the main living room, which spans the entire width of the house. Your eyes immediately drift towards the mountains and water, due to a combination of our ConceptPatio 155 sliding system and ConceptSystem 77 fixed windows. Fabricator Euroview also incorporated custom-built ConceptFolding 77 folding doors, which, when opened, double the living area with the spacious balcony. A cleverly placed overhang makes sure the room does not heat up in the midday sun.

The large glass surface of the ConceptPatio 155 sliding doors brings the outside and the interior closer together.

Anne and Bryan welcome visitors all day long, also in the evening. Our systems provide perfect thermal insulation and keep the room condensation-free in the often sticky New Zealand weather. Bryan confirms: “Sometimes it can be quite damp and hot in the evening, but freezing nights are no exception. With our Reynaers Aluminium doors and windows my wife and I are always protected against sudden weather changes.”

Surrounded by lofty mountains, Lake Wakatipu is the perfect place to clear your mind. Impressive views combined with interior comfort unite nature and home like never before. Get inspired by Anne and Bryan, explore and build your own little hideout with the help of the quality systems by Reynaers Aluminium.