ALKI
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN STUDIO
CLIENT
LOCATION
TYPE
Henry + Rachel Wilson
Wānaka, Otago
Accessory Building
PACKAGE
DATE
REVISION
Concept
14 Oct 2026
2
WELCOME Package Nº2
Following our recent meeting, I'm pleased to share the revised Concept Design package for the accessory building, incorporating your feedback and exploring the next level of refinement across the apartment, garage and wider master plan. This package focuses on resolving the spatial planning, circulation and relationship between the buildings, establishing a clearer framework for the next stages of coordination. Once we're comfortable with the arrangement, we can begin engaging eZED Engineering to develop the structural strategy, alongside progressing the topographical survey and confirming the building-platform requirements. For now, this remains an opportunity to explore the design together, testing the finer details before committing to the next stage of development.
2
Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Concept Henry + Rachel Wilson
Nº2
WELCOME Nº3
FEEDBACK Nº4-8
DESIGN Nº9
NEXT STEPS
Wilson Residence
The initial concept was well received, particularly the western apartment arrangement, with the central carport and kombucha lean-to separating the residential and working spaces while allowing for independent construction staging. The garage and workshop planning were retained, with feedback concentrating on the apartment and wider site circulation. At the master plan level, Henry proposed increasing the separation between the accessory building and main residence by approximately 10 m to accommodate larger vehicles and trailers. We also discussed redirecting the driveway around the southern side of the accessory building, allowing the western outdoor living areas to connect through uninterrupted meadow and landscape, with servicing and deliveries relocated behind the building.
CONCEPT FEEDBACK
Within the apartment, the principal requests were to reorientate the staircase alongside the rammed-earth wall, introduce a laundry near the carport entrance, and reconsider the bunk room and second ensuite to provide independently accessible bathroom facilities for guests. The master suite arrangement was to remain unchanged, while the northern living area would benefit from a deeper L-shaped window seat and improved connections to outdoor living. The mezzanine was largely retained, with requests for permanent lounge seating, a repositioned projector above the concealed Murphy bed, additional storage and simplified interior finishing to 'dust proof'. We also discussed the possibility of hammock netting, subject to the final arrangement of the staircase and mezzanine edge.
CONCEPT
3
Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Concept Henry + Rachel Wilson
FEEDBACK
Wilson Residence
sliding screens to match main house
Accessory Building APARTMENT LOWER FLOOR / 104m2
APARTMENT MEZZANINE / 61m2
APARTMENT CARPORT / 39m2
KUMBUCHA LEAN TO / 35m2
DOUBLE BAY GARAGE / 143m2
KUMBUCHA GARAGE / 72m2
The revised concept retains the original architectural composition, with the apartment, carport and garage unified beneath a continuous monopitch roof. The internal planning has been refined to improve circulation, spatial efficiency and everyday functionality, while preserving the building's relationship to the wider master plan.
The accessory building continues to serve as the property's principal hub for working, storage and infrastructure, allowing the main residence greater freedom in its architectural expression.
MASTER PLAN SITE + STAGING
stage 0
3
HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - ACCESSORY BUILDING Scale 1/300
The revised master plan explores moving the accessory building approximately 10 m further from the main residence, increasing the space available for vehicle manoeuvring, particularly larger vehicles and trailers. The buildings retain their shared architectural axes, including the alignment through their respective carport openings, while allowing greater flexibility in how the surrounding site is accessed and occupied.
wa y
The three-stage construction strategy remains unchanged: Stage 1 – Apartment; Stage 2 – Garage + Workshop; Stage 3 – Main Residence. The central carport continues to provide a logical break between the first two stages, allowing the apartment to be constructed and occupied independently while maintaining the architectural continuity of the completed building.
ive
This approach allows the western outdoor living areas to connect through meadow, planting and uninterrupted mountain views, rather than being divided by vehicle circulation. The landscape becomes the primary connection between the buildings, with the driveway and associated infrastructure taking a more discreet supporting role.
dr
A key opportunity is to redirect vehicle circulation around the southern side and behind the accessory building, relocating deliveries, servicing and working areas away from the principal residential outlook. The accessory building effectively becomes a screen between the property's operational functions and the quieter landscape shared by the two homes.
stage 0
1
stage 0
2
SPATIAL PLAN FLOOR PLAN
cluster of birch trees + wild grasses
driveway + turn zone
sliding screens
sliding screens
built-in seating
2.
outdoor living
3. 1.
4.
9.
5.
10.
6. 8. 7.
stage 01
stage 02
HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - ACCESSORY BUILDING Scale 1/150
The master suite remains largely unchanged, while the bunk room has been repositioned to the south, providing direct external outlook and separation from the kombucha lean-to.
use, with a shower, vanity, linen storage and stacked laundry appliances. A built-in robe acoustically buffers the bunk room, while plumbing services are grouped where practical.
The former second ensuite has been reconfigured into an independently accessible powder room and combined shower/laundry. Located beside the carport entrance, this provides a practical arrival point for muddy boots, wet clothing and everyday family
The staircase follows the rammed-earth wall, beginning with four solid earth risers leading to an elevated landing with views across the meadow towards the mountain skyline. From here, a floating steel stair returns towards the mezzanine, preserving
circulation beneath and creating opportunities for informal seating. The living incorporates a 900 mm-deep L-shaped window seat and repositioned dining area. The central kitchen sits beneath the mezzanine edge, allowing the double-height living area to open towards the northern outlook. External sliding shutters provide solar control, while openings to the north, west and east encourage cross-ventilation.
1. carport + covered entry to apartment 2. open kitchen, living + dining 3. floating steel stair w. rammed earth landing 4. master suite w. walk-in robe + ensuite 5. laundry + shower room 6. powder room 7. bunk room w. robe 8. kombucha lean to + outdoor area 9. kombucha garage bay 10. double bay garage w. through access
SPATIAL PLAN MEZZANINE PLAN
1.
2.
projector 3.
4.
HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - ACCESSORY BUILDING Scale 1/150
The revised mezzanine retains its original floor area, with the adjusted stair and roof arrangement providing a minimum 2 m head height throughout. This allows the entire floor to be comfortably occupied, rather than limiting usable space to areas with sufficient headroom.
The open lounge incorporates permanent seating, with the projector repositioned above the concealed Murphy bed for use when the bed is stored away. The library and sewing/office remain, with additional built-in storage accommodating the Murphy bed and resolving the adjoining wall geometry.
Interior detailing has been simplified, retaining vertical expressed timber studs while removing horizontal framing to minimise dust collection. The previously discussed hammock netting has been omitted, with the improved headroom and generous opportunities for seating and retreat throughout the home reducing the need for additional informal floor space.
1. 2. 3. 4.
open to below movie space w. murphy bed sewing room + office library + reading nook
SPATIAL PLAN ROOF PLAN
1.
2.
HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - ACCESSORY BUILDING Scale 1/150
The accessory building retains its continuous monopitch roof, reinforcing the architectural relationship with the main residence while providing a generous north-facing surface for photovoltaic generation. The roof also offers substantial rainwater harvesting potential, allowing the building to become the primary energy and water infrastructure hub for the wider property.
Concentrating these services within the accessory building and garage areas allows the main residence greater freedom in its architectural expression, without needing to accommodate the same extent of solar generation and water collection. The simplicity of the roof form also reinforces the staged construction strategy, maintaining a unified architectural composition as the apartment and garage are developed incrementally.
1. metal roofing with rainwater collection 2. solar panels
NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
Take some time to review the updated drawings and wander through the BIMx model, considering how the revised spaces, circulation and connections might work in everyday life. Once you've had an opportunity to digest everything, let's catch up in the studio and walk through the design together. We can revisit the remaining questions, explore any further adjustments and continue refining the planning until everyone is comfortable with the direction. With the floor plan and building arrangement sufficiently resolved, we can begin coordinating with eZED Engineering on the structural strategy, alongside progressing the topographical survey and confirming the building-platform requirements.
NEXT
9
Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Concept Henry + Rachel Wilson
STEPS
Wilson Residence