On the hillside at The Preserve is Hidden Island, an exceptional home designed to maximise 360-degree views. The 800sqm home, with 200sqm of terraces and decks, has also been designed to blend into the landscape through use of discreet materials and a clever palette.

Two house forms are set into the natural ridgeline beneath the Remarkables and overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Jack’s Point golf course. A two-storied wing faces the mountains to the east. The upper level contains three bedrooms, an office and a separate living area, while there are a garage, storage and laundry area below. The west wing faces the lake and has the main living spaces. A separate wing has guest suites.

Elements such as the cantilevered staircase off a travertine wall, honed blue stone and feature steelwork demonstrate attention to detail. Achieving a thermally efficient and low-energy home was a critical part of the brief. The response is a high-performing thermal envelope with a heavily insulated roof, while thermally broken, double-glazing and large eaves regulate heat during the summer. A ground-source heating system and photo-voltaic solar panels were also installed.