Northlake Residence by mclaren architecture.design

A contemporary Wanaka residence shaped by warmth, light and a quiet connection to the landscape. A restrained palette of natural materials, soft interior tones and carefully framed openings creates a home that feels calm, grounded and enduring.

Title:: Northlake Residence
Architectural Designer:: mclaren architecture.design
Category:: Residential/; New Builds
Completed:: 2025
Price range:: $1m - $2m
Building style:: Contemporary
Photographers:: Larkin Photography

Positioned within the evolving Northlake landscape, this contemporary Wanaka residence was designed as a calm and enduring family retreat, balancing refined simplicity with warmth, comfort and connection to its surroundings. The architecture responds to the alpine environment through a restrained material palette of dark metal cladding, natural timber and soft interior finishes, creating a home that feels both grounded and timeless.

At the heart of the home, vaulted living spaces and expansive glazing maximise natural light and frame views toward the surrounding hills, while sheltered outdoor areas provide protection from the exposed climate and strengthen the connection between inside and out. Interior spaces were carefully composed to feel warm, relaxed and highly functional for everyday family living, with layered textures, natural materials and muted tones contributing to the home’s calm atmosphere.

The result is a contemporary residence defined not by excess, but by proportion, materiality and the quiet quality of the spaces created. A home designed to sit comfortably within the Wanaka landscape for years to come.

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mclaren architecture.designArchitectural Designers

mclaren architecture.design

Architectural Designers

Otago

mclarenad.co.nz

mclaren architecture.design. Design-led architecture creating contemporary homes of quiet luxury. McLaren Architecture / Design is a Dunedin-based studio working across Otago, Wānaka and Queenstown, specialising in refined residential architecture shaped by landscape, light and material. The practice focuses on creating homes that feel calm, enduring and deeply connected to their surroundings — balancing contemporary architectural form with warmth, functionality and timelessness. Grounded in a quiet and considered approach to design, each project is carefully developed in response to site, climate and the way clients live. Natural light, proportion, texture and materiality are central to the studio’s work, creating spaces that feel both refined and welcoming. The studio works closely with clients, consultants and builders throughout the design process to deliver thoughtful, highly resolved homes with clarity and attention to detail. From contemporary urban residences to rural and alpine retreats, the aim is always to create architecture that feels authentic to place and enduring over time.