Set at Akitu Rise in Wānaka, the home is positioned to capture views across the surrounding mountains and lake. Expansive glazing and open-plan living spaces draw the landscape deep into the interior, allowing light and horizon lines to shape the experience of the home.
Within this setting, joinery needed to support the architecture without interrupting it. Proportions, materials and detailing were considered so cabinetry reads as part of the structure rather than applied furniture.
Working alongside Assembly Architects, OBJKT delivered custom kitchen joinery and interior cabinetry designed to align with the calm, deliberate character of the house — part of the studio’s wider approach to architectural joinery detailed on our Services page.
At the centre of the living space, the kitchen island acts as a visual anchor within the open-plan interior. Treated as a single grounded object, its porcelain surfaces from Archant and solid American Oak detailing introduce a quiet contrast of durability and warmth—balancing the surrounding glazing and expansive views while maintaining the calm rhythm of the architecture.
Vertical oak battens add texture and depth, expressing craftsmanship without disrupting the simplicity of the form. The island’s proportions allow it to sit confidently within the space, integrated seamlessly with the surrounding cabinetry and material palette.
Together, these elements create a kitchen that feels composed, functional and quietly connected to the architecture around it.
At the centre of the home sits the kitchen — positioned between living and dining spaces while maintaining clear sightlines to the surrounding landscape.
A generous island provides space for preparation, casual dining and conversation, acting as a social anchor within the open-plan interior. Integrated appliances and restrained cabinetry ensure the kitchen maintains a calm architectural presence rather than dominating the room.
The result is a space that supports both everyday routines and relaxed entertaining while remaining visually quiet within the larger composition of the home — an approach often seen in contemporary architectural homes.
Beyond the kitchen, joinery continues throughout the home in bedrooms, bathrooms and service spaces. Each element follows the same restrained material palette and careful alignment used in the main living area.
Wardrobes provide generous storage while remaining visually calm within the bedrooms. Custom vanities introduce timber warmth into bathrooms, echoing the detailing used within the kitchen.
This continuity allows the interior to move seamlessly from shared living areas to private spaces while maintaining a consistent architectural language.
Material selection reinforces the calm architectural language of the interior. Soft green cabinetry introduces colour while remaining grounded within the alpine palette of the surrounding landscape.
Light stone surfaces provide durability and tonal clarity within the working areas of the kitchen, while timber detailing at the island base introduces warmth and texture.
These elements work together to create a balanced interior palette that responds to the natural light and mountain views surrounding the home.
Beyond the main living areas, joinery continues into bathrooms, bedrooms and service spaces. Custom vanities introduce timber warmth against light surfaces, while wardrobes and cabinetry maintain the same restrained material palette used throughout the home.
These quieter areas reinforce the architectural language established in the kitchen — simple forms, careful alignment and materials chosen for both durability and longevity.
The result is a calm, cohesive interior — quietly framing the landscape that defines life in Wānaka.
