Boxes never looked so beautiful. Two elongated rectangular forms that step down a rocky slope west of Queenstown, have become part of the alpine landscape. From this six-bedroom house, the owners can take in uninterrupted vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains cocooning it. The home, clad in schist, coloured steel and cedar, is as unfussy as it is luxurious. In terms of layout, the top box is devoted to communal spaces that open through custom German-made sliding doors to an upper deck that runs the length of the home. The lower rectangle has the bedrooms, each with an ensuite and entire glazed walls. The main bedroom also has an office and walk-in wardrobe, while a bunk room provides plenty of space for children. It’s the consummate holiday bolthole.

In keeping with the clients’ desire for a simple timber palette, oak panelling carries throughout the interior. A feature fireplace and intricate timber built-in features and ceilings are further evidence that, although this house is all about laidback luxe, it required scrupulous craftsmanship. Lights, temperature, locks, security and more are controlled through an automation system and from a phone app. You’ll also find sensors for temperature, CO2, humidity and motion. By using an open-source server, the owners can easily reconfigure automation to suit their lifestyle and aren’t dependent on third parties.