Rare metal: Fernhill House

It is no mean feat to build a house that commands a presence against a backdrop of pine-covered slopes, jagged snowcapped mountains and a pristine lake, not to mention plenty of multi-level architecturally designed neighbouring dwellings. But the soft reflection of copper cladding of this holiday home, the unfolding silhouette carved out of the hill, and the shifting shadow and light of pitches and angles does indeed create a distinctive and dynamic feature in the landscape.

Architect Anna-Marie Chin, of Arrowtown-based Anna-Marie Chin Architects, says the finished result was a process of an ongoing dialogue between the exterior and interior space, while bringing to bear the practicality of a south-facing, six-bedroom holiday home with height restrictions and more than 1000m² of floor space needing to be carved out of a steep, rocky slope.

“The environment is remarkable. There are sharp and angular hills and mountains, and the light quality of this location changes throughout the day,” says Chin. “The folded form worked better as an interpretation of this environment, and allowed us to express the sense of the house unfolding down the hill. The copper reflects that light and changes colour against the hillside and through the seasons. But the copper is also low maintenance, which was important to the clients.”

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Clad in copper, this house both absorbs and reflects the light, merging almost seamlessly with its surrounds.

Image: Marina Mathews

The ‘unfolding’ forms, angles and shifting masses define the interior space too, and at times the need to create a certain interior space morphed the external form, Chin says. “The inside spaces required a distinct feel accentuated by the magnificent views. “It was a complex process of revisiting certain angles and spaces to achieve that intention while still making it work with the exterior.”

The location, function and view of each room were considered and individually treated to generate a unique experience. For example, the kitchen dining area has floor-to-ceiling glazed sliders that take in panoramic views across a balcony, whereas the lounge is more enfolded, with a window seemingly tearing itself from the floor and ceiling towards the Remarkables mountain range.

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The architect has continued the angular theme indoors, where none of the ceiling or wall planes are the same.

Image: Marina Mathews

A courtyard at the back of the house provides a secluded space that catches some of the northern light and is sheltered from the cold breeze off the lake, one of the less desirable side effects of living above Lake Wakatipu.

“These spatial contrasts – expansive and almost vulnerable versus contained and protective – are designed to initiate different feelings and experiences,” says the architect. Two interior staircases on either side of the house extend to the outdoors providing a circular flow through the house, which enable smaller groups to occupy one end without feeling overwhelmed by the size of the home.

There is no doubt that the house is large and the project was complex. Approximately 4600m³ of earth and stone had to be excavated out of the hill, which drops 15m from top to bottom. The excavated stone has been reused as cladding on the lower level of the home and within the landscaping. Chin credits the RBJ building team with rising to the challenges of this site.

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The landscaping and lower-level cladding of the home utilises reused excavated stone.

Image: Marina Mathews

“We knew we wanted something very special but with it came complexity and a level of ‘unknown territory’ for some of the tradespeople. They understood what we were trying to achieve and took on the challenge, telling me afterwards that they had enjoyed the opportunity.”

Despite the complexity of the many shapes and changing forms, this holiday home fits in well with its surroundings, conspicuous yet not out of place. Impressive and dynamic, the copper envelope that unfolds like a picture book gives a hint of the world inside.