Preliminary Plans Rev5 - Day Residence

ALKI

ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN STUDIO

CLIENT

LOCATION

TYPE

Pete + Ruth Day

Wānaka, Otago

Residential

PACKAGE

DATE

REVISION

Preliminary

31 Aug 2026

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WELCOME Package Nº5

Following our review together on 21 August, this package returns to Preliminary Design to explore a more efficient planning and construction strategy for the home.

Rather than simply reducing floor area, the focus has been on simplifying geometry, circulation, structure, waterproofing and retaining, while protecting the spaces and relationships that will support Pete and Ruthie's longer-term life in Wānaka.

This is a first line in the sand. There is plenty of method behind the madness, but also several opportunities to refine further. The intention is to review these together, establish which spatial relationships matter most, and continue shaping the plan from there.

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Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Preliminary Pete + Ruth Day

Nº2

WELCOME Nº3

NOTES Nº4

DESIGN Nº6

NEXT STEPS

Day Residence

NOTES The previous design established an architectural direction that we all loved, but preliminary costing highlighted the need to reconsider how that architecture is delivered. Rather than removing rooms or compromising the programme, this study looks for efficiencies through reduced floor area, simpler planning, consolidated structure and smarter material choices.

Our review returned to some of the strongest ideas from the original concepts: a centrally located stair arriving directly into the open living spaces, simpler structural relationships, the continuous monopitch roof, and a clearer division between living, guest/utility and master suite zones.

DESIGN RESPONSE

Based on the current hand sketch, the revised plan is approximately 245 m² — 173 m² upper and 72 m² lower, compared with approximately 300 m² previously. These areas are indicative only, but represent an initial reduction of around 55 m², or 18%, while retaining the double garage, guest accommodation, study, future lift, storage and utility spaces, and principal living programme.

The plan has been developed around the 1.5 m x 1.5 m grid we established together, providing a common rhythm for structure, colonnade spacing, glazing, circulation and room proportions.

The plan deviates where spaces need to expand, contract or flow more naturally, but the grid remains an underlying framework for rationalising the building and its construction.

Alongside reducing area, the architecture has been simplified to reduce complex junctions, waterproofing and retaining, better align structure between levels, and rationalise deck construction. Material choices are also becoming more deliberate: timber is concentrated where it will be seen and experienced, with aluminium cladding to less prominent elevations and a ventilated long-run metal roof moving forward.

The intention is to retain the character of the previous design — particularly the continuous monopitch roof, cloister, stone portcullis and strong connection to the landscape — while finding a simpler and more economical way to build it.

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Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Preliminary Pete + Ruth Day

Day Residence

SPATIAL PLAN LOWER FLOOR PLAN

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THE LOOKOUT Scale 1/100

The generous double garage and 5 m-wide door are retained, but shifted south to improve the turning approach from the constrained driveway along the southern boundary.

The stair now rises through the centre of the house, allowing the structure and circulation above to organise more directly around the garage below. A generous mechanical, storage, gear and drying room sits immediately north of the stair, consolidating the home's service functions.

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Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Preliminary Pete + Ruth Day

The future lift is relocated against the southern garage wall, arriving directly into the laundry/ mudroom above. Until installed, this area provides additional garage and gear storage, while the space reserved above can instead enlarge the study for a secondary workspace or additional storage.

The stone portcullis remains a defining element of the arrival. Above, the previous waterproofed construction is replaced with open timber decking and conventional deck framing — retaining the architectural expression while significantly simplifying structure and waterproofing.

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driveway + turn bay recessed entry zone w. deck above entry mechanical room + storage gear + dry room double garage + e-bike charging future lift bin

Approximate area: 72m2 (incl. stair) Day Residence

SPATIAL PLAN FLOOR PLAN

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THE LOOKOUT Scale 1/100

The stair now arrives at the centre of the home, with the open stairwell allowing light deep into the plan. An art wall terminates the arrival and conceals the scullery, while kitchen, dining and living occupy the northern edge, prioritising lake and mountain views.

At the centre sits the hearth — integrating fireplace, television, library and pot hearth into a single element around which the living spaces gather. The northern deck wraps east beneath the generous roof eave and west to the sheltered outdoor dining and fire area.

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Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Preliminary Pete + Ruth Day

The plan divides into two quieter wings. To the east, guest and utility spaces consolidate above the garage: guest and bunk rooms, bathroom, powder room, laundry/mudroom and study. The future lift connects directly to the mudroom, while the study terminates the hallway with a large opening to the view.

To the west, the private master suite is organised around a central vestibule connecting the bedroom, ensuite, separate WC and walk-in robe. The bedroom opens to the western outdoor living and raised spa

terrace, with the landscape continuing uphill to a potential sauna platform.

There is still room to refine. Reducing the walkin robe/stretch space could pull the master suite south, enlarging the outdoor living while reducing floor area. Alternatively, the stretch room could become the study, allowing the eastern study to be removed, shortening the hallway and bringing the glazing forward to terminate the circulation on landscape — similar to the master suite vestibule.

1. open staircase 2. kitchen 3. scullery 4. dining 5. sitting w. fireplace + tv 6. living 7. powder room 8. bunk room 9. guest suite 10. mudroom + future lift access 11. study 12. bathroom

13. master suite vestibule 14. master suite 15. master powder room 16. master ensuite 17. master walk-in robe 18. wellness + stretch room 19. outdoor living + fire 20. spa built into hillside 21. lookout deck 22. sauna platform above retaining Approximate area: 173m2 (excl. stair) Day Residence

NEXT STEPS

This plan establishes a new framework rather than a finished solution.

Before pushing further, I think there is real value in reviewing it together. In particular, I'd like to better understand which relationships are most important to you — living to landscape, guest accommodation, study, master suite, outdoor fire, spa/sauna and storage — and where you're comfortable making compromises.

There are already several areas where I can see opportunities to reduce area or strengthen spatial relationships, but those decisions are best made with a clearer understanding of how you see yourselves living in the house long-term.

A video call and another round of chunky-pen discussion would be valuable here.

We can work through the method behind the madness together, challenge what needs challenging, and use that conversation to guide the next refinement.

NEXT

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Alki Architecture + Design Studio, Preliminary Pete + Ruth Day

STEPS

Day Residence