House on Saint Mark's Street by Dorrington Etchison Architects in Queenstown, New Zealand

Project: House on Saint Mark's Street
Architects: Dorrington Etchison
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
Area: 3,035 sq ft
Photography: Mark Sowden

House on Saint Mark's Street by Dorrington Etchison Architects

Dorrington Etchison architects designed an impressive modern home in Queenstown, New Zealand. The Saint Mark's Street house offers a stunning view of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, with 3,000 square feet of open living spaces that demonstrate a strong connection to the surrounding environment.

The new home in Queenstown with a breathtaking view of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu inspired a distinctive house that complements this landscape.

The substantial structure built into the ground level of the basement provides functional living spaces — garage, laundry room, relaxation areas and a dedicated space for drying sports equipment during winter and summer months. The guest entrance to the house is through a covered north courtyard at street level. It is surrounded by monolithic walls, allowing only partial glimpses of the fantastic landscape upon entering the house at mid-level. The roof peaks of the upper floor follow the contours of the mountain range, providing an interesting accent.

The middle level includes a kitchen and dining area, as well as a recessed lounge perfectly suited for hot drinks and fondue by the fire after a tough day on the slopes. Sliding doors open to a panoramic view and spacious terrace beyond the house. Neighbors are blocked by the use of monolithic walls, which provide both privacy and a sense of solidity in contrast to the continuous glazing of the living level.

A distinctive feature is the staircase, presented as a glass slit running through the center of the house and again ensuring no obstruction to views. Bedrooms and bathrooms are located on the upper floor, unlike the concrete middle level they are clad in dark metal finishes. Large windows allow northern sunlight to penetrate inside, and the glazing fills the space between the forms of the floating roof and walls.

– Dorrington Etchison