The opportunity to build a home in a pristine setting comes with an architect's responsibility to the environment. This is primarily concerned with the use of natural materials. Today we're going to talk about the remarkable Brewer House project in Wanaka, New Zealand, which was designed by Harry Condon in collaboration with Sarah Scott Architects Ltd.
The residence is on the edge of civilization – the nearest housing is 15 km. The unique location on a remote peninsula of a large lake dictated a revolutionary layout of the building. The quintessential design was the stunning integration of the house into the landscape – the clean, honed forms fit perfectly into the cliff face in the background.
Multifaceted slate slabs stylistically replicate geologic strata. The composition is intentionally made broken to reduce the contrast of the alien body with the wilderness.
Photo: Mickey Ross.
