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Location: Wanaka, New Zealand

Designer: Strutt Studios / @strutt.studios

Footprint: 1,880 square feet

Architect: Intuitive Architects

Builder: Owens Building

Structural Engineer: Batchelar McDougall Consulting

Landscape Design: Green Fox

Photographer: Mickey Ross / @mickeyross_

From the Designer: “In Wānaka, New Zealand, nestled among vistas of the Southern Alps, Scout emerges as a reflection of its surroundings. This 1,880-square-foot retreat, created for Sophie Bowers of Strutt Studios and her husband Josh Climpson, embodies a refined yet grounded aesthetic that celebrates both the grandeur of nature and the intimacy of human connection.

"At first glance, Scout appears as a collection of interconnected forms, its pitched roof rising from a bunker-like base of corrugated steel. The materials—robust and tactile—draw inspiration from the vernacular architecture of the region. Inside, the warmth of walnut joinery, polished concrete floors, and handmade Japanese tiles create an inviting atmosphere, grounding the home within its alpine environment. The palette, drawn directly from Central Otago’s natural hues, includes rich browns, iron reds, mushroom grays, burgundy, and chartreuse green. These tones shift with the light, mirroring the changing colors of the surrounding mountains.

"The architecture of Scout plays with spatial contrasts, balancing openness with intimacy. Nowhere is this more evident than in the sunken living room, an homage to the conversation pits of the 1970s. Designed around the proportions of a modular sofa, this space invites a sense of closeness and retreat. A frameless corner picture window anchors the living room, framing an ever-changing tableau of the mountains beyond.

"The primary bedroom has a large skylight above the bed. At night, it frames the sky, while in the en suite, skylights above the basin and shower highlight the dramatic pitch of the ceiling.

"The integration of indoor and outdoor spaces is a hallmark of Scout. The outdoor bathtub is positioned to capture panoramic views, for example. Behind it, a tiled plinth table doubles as a study nook or a service bar, with a fully opening pass-through door enhancing functionality and charm. At the heart of the main dwelling is an open-concept mezzanine level, complete with its own balcony overlooking Lake Wānaka. Outside, expansive decks extend the living spaces and speak to the cedar clad exterior ceilings and walls. These details emphasize the home’s sense of belonging to its site, blurring the boundaries between built form and landscape."

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