Shimmerlake is a substantial renovation and extension of a large private residence in Kelvin Heights, Queenstown, designed by Construkt Architects. Originally built in the 1980s, the house was extensively reconfigured to create a contemporary home that takes advantage of its elevated setting and panoramic views across Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.

The renovation retained the existing ground floor and precast concrete upper-ground-floor structure, with the remainder of the house substantially redesigned. The architectural approach combines strong horizontal forms with two stone towers that anchor the building within its dramatic landscape setting.

Generous open-plan living spaces and large north-facing windows connect the interior with the surrounding views. These open onto an expansive terrace with operable louvres, providing opportunities for sheltered outdoor living while responding to Queenstown's changing weather conditions.

The project involved careful consideration of the building's relationship with the surrounding landscape, including its scale, form and visual impact. Construkt's architectural services also included preparation of the Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) to support the resource consent process.

Shimmerlake demonstrates how a substantial renovation can transform an existing house into a contemporary residence while retaining elements of the original structure.