Simplifying the difficult - Queenstown Hill

Steep hillside sections, limited access, breathtaking views, and a challenging alpine climate - welcome to the realities of building in Queenstown.

Our client had lived next door for more than 30 years while this site remained vacant. As a long-time local, she understood the complexities and rising costs of building in the region and wanted a home that would allow her to maintain her independence through a comfortable, accessible, and low-maintenance building process.

Our Kōwhai home proved to be the perfect fit. The two-part modular design separates the kitchen and living spaces into a dedicated wing, creating a spacious, light-filled layout that maximises both the views and day-to-day functionality. The second module accommodates two ensuite bedrooms, providing flexibility for visiting family and friends, while also allowing for assisted on-site care in the future if required.

Built with the Arbol Difference, the home delivers year-round comfort and a healthier living environment through stable indoor temperatures and reduced energy demand for heating and cooling. Combined with high-quality construction and finishes, this is a home designed not only for today, but for decades to come.

Built over five months in our Cromwell facility, the home was then separated into two modules and transported through the Kawarau Gorge to Edinburgh Drive. Once on site, a crane carefully positioned each module onto the elevated pile foundations, bringing the home together in a matter of hours.

By the end of the day, both modules had been landed, reconnected, and made weathertight. Over the following days, service connections were completed, along with the final plastering and painting of the internal junction walls, seamlessly uniting the two modules into a single home.

Completing the most complex stages of construction off site allowed us to avoid many of the challenges typically associated with building on a steep Queenstown section. Protected from the elements and built within a controlled factory environment, the project benefited from greater quality control, improved efficiency, and a more predictable construction programme from start to finish.

With the home now in place, our team and trusted contractors have moved on to the final stage of the project, including retaining walls, driveway construction, and a drive-in level garage. By managing both the home and site works, we are able to deliver a true start-to-finish solution, providing our client with a streamlined and stress-free building experience.