Following the Contours of the Land – Arrowtown House by RTA Studio

Following the contours of the land, like rock forms and discarded goldmining remnants, Arrowtown House emerges from its site. RTA Studio combines references to the area’s history through an appropriation of context and materiality.

Located in the town of the same name not far from Queenstown, Arrowtown House references its location’s layered and integral history, through its approach to form in the landscape. Emerging from its site, forms that resemble rock-like vestiges and remnants from the town’s rich goldmining history take shape as the pavilions that house the private residence. RTA Studio combines a contextually appropriate approach to the resulting vernacular. The materiality further emphasises the home’s connection to the varying contours of the site it sits upon, with the robust durability of the schist, concrete and weathering steel external skin.

As a series of pavilions, each has been positioned to address and be aligned with the surrounding enviable views. Surrounded by the Southern Alps of New Zealand, on the South Island, the home sits amongst the Wakatipu basin and is engulfed in incredibly rich landscape. As the pavilions dot the landscape addressing the surrounding mountain ranges, a sheltered courtyard links all of the formations. Separated from the main zones is a guest pavilion which is set below the courtyard level, adding a level of privacy and separation.

The rusted metal shells sit comfortably as a subtle reminder of the town’s historical connection to the land, while also comfortably coexisting alongside its more contemporary clad counterparts. Referencing the vernacular materials used in the area, local schist (a coarsely grained metamorphic rock, consisting of layers of differing minerals) clads the garage and living pavilions, similar to the original adjacent miner’s cottages. The remaining two pavilions are then clad in weathered steel as a reference to rusted agricultural shed structures and as a nod to the gold mining remnants spread across the South Island. And the faceted concrete structure sits as an entry portal into the glass house beyond, which connects the living and master bedroom pavilions.

As a series of pavilions, each has been positioned to address and be aligned with the surrounding enviable views.

As if following its undulating terrain, Arrowtown House hugs the land it references through its weighted and measured materiality. Its connection to the surrounding vistas in its alpine location affords incredible views from within each of the individual pavilions, which offer a sense of privacy, shelter and capture the area’s interesting and important history. RTA Studio translation of context, referencing the past respectfully, is made appropriate to the landscape, while also capturing a relevant contemporary language that embraces its site.

Arrowtown House references its location’s layered and integral history.