A Modern Family Home with Stunning Mountain and Lake Views | Arran Lane Home

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A Modern Family Home with Stunning Mountain and Lake Views

Set against the dramatic scenery of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, this contemporary family residence was designed through a close collaboration between the homeowners and designers Jonathan Goss and Cathy Ellegard. With a footprint of approximately 230 square meters, the house demonstrates how thoughtful spatial planning can create a comfortable and dynamic family home within a relatively modest scale.

The design responds carefully to the sloping nature of the site. By elevating the main living areas and bedrooms above the driveway level, the house achieves both privacy and expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors approach the home by ascending sculpted concrete steps that lead toward the entrance, with the breathtaking backdrop of the The Remarkables visible beyond.

At the center of the house lies a spacious open-plan living area that combines the kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces into a single fluid environment. Generous ceiling heights help draw natural light deep into the interior, enhancing the sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

Large openings allow the living areas to extend seamlessly into outdoor entertaining spaces. This indoor-outdoor relationship is central to the design, allowing family life to flow naturally between interior comfort and the surrounding landscape.

The elevated position of the living spaces provides sweeping views across nearby lakes and mountains, while also capturing the changing movement of sunlight throughout the day.

Social life within the home revolves around the kitchen. Designed as the heart of the house, it becomes the focal point for everyday activities and gatherings. Adjacent to the kitchen, a built-in window seat offers a quiet corner where residents can pause, read, or simply enjoy the view.

To the south of the kitchen, the design introduces a sunken lounge area that adds spatial variety to the open-plan layout. By stepping down into this space, the sense of vertical height becomes even more pronounced, creating a cozy yet dramatic living environment.

The gabled end of the living area is carefully angled to frame the spectacular landscape beyond. From this position, expansive views open toward Cecil Peak across the lake, turning the surrounding scenery into a natural extension of the interior space.

This project illustrates the strength of a close collaboration between architect and client. The house was shaped not only by architectural principles but also by the daily rhythms and personal preferences of the family who lives there.

The result is a residence that feels warm, welcoming, and deeply connected to its environment—a home that balances functionality, comfort, and the beauty of the natural landscape.

Architects: Ben Hudson Architects - https://www.benhudsonarchitects.com/
Interior Architects: Ellegard Goss Studio
Photo: Simon Larkin - https://www.larkindesign.co.nz/
Location: Jacks Point, New Zealand
Project Year: 2021
Category: Private Houses
Primary Building Material: Wood
Building Area: 230 m2

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