SKI House by Roberts Gray Architects: A Contemporary Intergenerational Retreat in Wanaka

Situated within walking distance of Wanaka’s urban center, SKI House by Roberts Gray Architects responds to over two decades of the client’s connection with the site. As Wanaka has transitioned from a quiet town to a vibrant urban hub and popular tourist destination, the project was conceived as an intergenerational home, a flexible retreat that adapts to the changing rhythms and densification of the surrounding area.

The house reflects a delicate balance between privacy and openness, offering a sanctuary from the city’s bustle while embracing the dynamic landscape beyond.

Adaptive Design for All Seasons

The street-facing facade of SKI House is intentionally abstract, offering glimpses of the interior while maintaining privacy. Upon entry, the home unfolds into a combination of formal and free-flowing spaces, designed to accommodate seasonal changes and multiple modes of living.

In winter, a low-lit, dark-clad mudroom provides a warm threshold that transitions into a light-filled interior, framing the mountains in the distance. During summer, residents enjoy a casual journey over stone steps, connecting a sequence of lush gardens to a spacious central courtyard that forms the heart of the home.

This thoughtful seasonal approach highlights the architects’ sensitivity to both environment and lifestyle, ensuring the home remains comfortable and functional year-round.

Harmonious Materiality and Spatial Flow

A minimal, natural material palette links interior and exterior spaces, creating visual and tactile continuity throughout. Material modules inform everything, from detailed joinery to room proportions and window openings, establishing a cohesive, human-scaled environment.

The design exhibits a careful balance between precision and organic forms: while architectural geometries are exacting, the landscape introduces softness through fractured stone paving, varied planting, and seasonal shifts in height and density. This interplay enhances the overall sensory experience and emphasizes connection to the surrounding environment.

Geometric Forms and Light-Filled Interiors

SKI House presents a series of solid geometric volumes arranged to balance enclosure with openness. Lightweight screen systems, internal courtyards, and carefully positioned openings create dynamic interplays of light and shadow, bringing life to the interior spaces.

The result is a modern urban sanctuary in Wanaka: a home designed to nurture family connections, adapt to future needs, and celebrate the evolving landscape around it. SKI House stands as a timeless retreat, inviting future generations to experience the interplay of architecture, nature, and daily life.

Key Features

• Intergenerational, adaptable home in central Wanaka
• Seasonal spatial strategies connecting interior, gardens, and courtyards
• Natural, minimal material palette for continuity inside and out
• Geometric architectural forms balanced by organic landscape elements
• Thoughtful interplay of light, shadow, and privacy

All photographs are works of Sam Hartnett, Casey Moore