Living it up in Wanaka

 

Eliška Lewis Architects is an award winning architectural practice based in Wanaka. As a boutique business, we pride ourselves in creating personal focus and value for our clients. We can offer solutions to demanding sites and client briefs and consider ourselves experienced with complex Resource Consent applications in the sensitive landscape in Central Otago areas.

We promote design decisions by encouraging honest and open communication between ourselves our clients and the building contractor. Attention to detail is a high priority for the practice.

“Our design philosophy is to develop projects that are innovative, well crafted, with an emphasis on sustainability.”

 

MEDIA PRESS & awards

UMBRA LUX - HOME MAGAZINE - Issue August/September 2025 https://homemagazine.nz/the-house-that-zoom-built/

UMBRA LUX - MASTER BUILDER HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2025 Regional Gold Award and National Top 100 Award https://houseoftheyear.co.nz/houses/2025/sog-6957-11-9/

BLACK PEAK VIEW - ARCHITECTURE NOW: Southern Architecture Awards Winner https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/2019-southern-architectureawards/https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/7940

BLACK PEAK VIEW - STUFF.CO.NZ - Trends NZ Kitchen 2019 TIDA Awards https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/kitchen/112397177/tida-awardwinning-kitchens-celebrate-timber-and-stone

BLACK PEAK VIEW - TRENDS IDEAS - Trends NZ Kitchen 2019 TIDA Awards https://trendsideas.com/gallery/stories/2019-tida-new-zealand-architect-designed-kitchens/393900-winner-eliska-lewis-architects-2019-tida-new-zealand-architect-designed-kitchen

BLACK PEAK VIEW - TRENDS IDEAS - Online - https://trendsideas.com/stories/cool-outlooks-snug-interiors

THE DACHA - STUFF.CO.NZ- Central Otago architecture wows judges in 2017 NZIA awards http://i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/houses/93506550/central-otago-architecture-wows-judges-in-2017-nzia-awards

THE DACHA - STUFF.CO.NZ - Award-winning ‘Dacha’ in Wanaka maximises a stunning view http://i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/houses/93514963/awardwinning-dacha-in-wanaka-maximises-a-stunning-view

THE DACHA - ARCHITECTURE WOMEN https://architecturewomen.org.nz/network/member/19580

THE DACHA - TRENDS IDEAS https://trendsideas.com/article/southern-architecture-awards-showcases-the-best-projects

THE DACHA - NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/6593

 3D Technology

3D technology is used throughout planning, to allow clients an interactive design experience, whereby they can navigate around the site and through the house model that is kept continually current with design developments and interior finishing.  

“Many times clients are from out of town or overseas, and this method of communicating the design proves a valuable tool”

We provide computer modelling of the shading effects planned within rooms during different times of the year.  Shade and sunlight simulation movies are presented to client in time lapse format to evaluate the amount of light and sun planned for each room.  

What you don’t see

Some of the most exciting parts of projects, are the items that you don’t see at all.  They are deep in the ground, under the slab, and hidden behind the linings.  Controlling energy consumption, harvesting energy from the site, and imploring passive design principles are driving forces in decisions for how projects are designed and constructed.

To preserve the harvested heat, houses are designed to minimise heat loss and control solar gain, by carefully detailing structural systems that address thermal bridging.  Mechanical and electrical services are methodically planned to be contained within service cavities and dropped ceilings to preserve the airtightness and insulation integrity of the building envelope.

The result is a future proofed home, that balances the energy resources needed to maintain comfort.

Proudly supporting the global movement Architects Declare. Visit www.architectsdeclare.nz

Proudly supporting the global movement Architects Declare. Visit www.architectsdeclare.nz