A multi-award-winning home where structural blocks meet thermal performance and enduring design.
When it comes to building a home that sits lightly on the land while standing strong against the elements, the Wānaka SKI House sets a new standard. Designed by Roberts Gray Architects, this multi-award-winning retreat won the 2024 NZIA National Architecture Award and was shortlisted for HOME Magazine’s Home of the Decade. It’s a project that shows how structural concrete can deliver both performance and beauty.
Set against the backdrop of the Buchanan Peaks and Lake Wānaka, the S.K.I. House is a multi-generational retreat designed for longevity. It responds to Central Otago’s climate extremes with a structural palette that is both resilient and refined. Viblock was proud to support this vision, supplying locally manufactured structural blocks that form the backbone of the home’s architecture.
Project by Roberts Gray Architects | Featured Products Structural 20 Series and 390 Half Grey | Photography Simon Devitt
A Vision of Subtle Sophistication
Roberts Gray Architects approached the S.K.I. House with a clear brief: design a timeless, low-maintenance home that responds to its alpine setting. Their clients — the architects’ own parents — wanted a place that could shift effortlessly with the seasons. Warm and grounded in winter, cool and restorative in summer.
Central to this design vision was material choice. Viblock structural blocks were paired with charred cedar (yaki-sugi), raw galvanised steel, and oak flooring to create a natural, low-fuss palette. The result is refined but not showy. The simple exterior gives way to a series of layered, light-filled spaces that unfold with intent — a home designed to be discovered, not just seen.
Photography Samuel Hartnett
The Performance of Double-Skinned Construction
At the core of the Wānaka S.K.I. House is a double-skinned structural block system, a design approach rarely seen in New Zealand homes. By pairing Viblock structural blocks with an outer veneer, the architects delivered a home that performs as well as it looks.
Built to Last
Structural block was chosen for its strength and long-term durability. The material stands up to Central Otago’s harshest seasons with minimal maintenance, making it ideal for a multi-generational home. The double-skin construction also enabled a seamless finish inside and out, reinforcing the home’s minimalist design while simplifying upkeep.
Passive Comfort, Year-Round
Thermal performance was a key part of the design brief. As architect Jimmy Gray explains:
“The building is warm in winter, cool in summer. The thermal mass regulates the temperature perfectly, storing heat during the day and releasing it as the temperature cools at night.”
That effect is supported by an insulated slab edge, a tightly sealed envelope, and smart passive features including courtyards, overhangs, and operable windows. Together, these elements reduce energy use while enhancing everyday comfort — no gadgets, just great design.
Acoustic Performance That Supports Calm Living
Beyond thermal benefits, the structural block walls also deliver excellent acoustic insulation. Whether it’s the rhythm of a busy multi-generational household or the sounds of the surrounding landscape, the block construction helps absorb noise and maintain a quiet, restful atmosphere inside the home.
Project by Roberts Gray Architects | Featured Products Structural 20 Series and 390 Half Grey | Photography Simon Devitt
Design Innovation Through Structure
Achieving this level of precision and performance didn’t happen by accident. From the early stages, the design team used Viblock’s modular structural blocks to inform the proportions of the entire home — from room dimensions to window placement and even the location of light switches.
As architect Jimmy Gray explains:
“Structural units are really nice to work with as they are modular. The widths, heights, and lengths can all be divided by each other. This allowed us to be really rigorous and playful in using the blocks to inform the design.”
That precision also demanded discipline on site. Because the structural walls were among the first elements built, they had to remain flawless throughout the entire construction process. That required exceptional coordination between the builders at Level Construction and the blocklayers at Wānaka Brick & Block.
Will Widdison, owner of Wānaka Brick & Block, brought that vision to life:
“Projects like this require a different level of focus and respect for the design. Every block placement had to be perfect — not just structurally, but visually, because it would define the character of the finished home. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding to see it all come together.”
The Viblock Difference
The success of the Wānaka S.K.I. House reflects the strength, versatility, and aesthetic potential of Viblock structural blocks — chosen for their performance, clean finish, and Central Otago origin.
Made Local, Built to Last
As a 100% New Zealand-owned business, Viblock proudly manufactures all products in the South Island. For this project, the structural blocks were sourced directly from Central Otago. This reduced transport emissions and created a direct material connection to the surrounding landscape.
Flexible by Design
The architects selected Viblock’s 390 Half Grey slimline units for their balance of form and function. Subtle tonal variation added visual depth, while the crisp geometry supported the home’s minimalist intent. The build combined 10-series, 15-series, and corner units — showcasing the flexibility of Viblock’s modular system.
As the architect noted:
“It’s difficult to achieve a building that appears so simple in geometry. Viblock’s range allowed us to create something that is both functional and expressive.”
Thermal Mass That Performs for Generations
Viblock structural blocks offer high thermal mass and a long service life, making them a smart choice for homes built to endure. By regulating internal temperature and reducing reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, they support both comfort and efficiency over the building’s lifetime.
Photography Samuel Hartnett
Living the S.K.I. House Experience
Now complete, the Wānaka SKI House is more than an architectural achievement. It’s a home designed to elevate everyday living.
Through a careful play of courtyards, framed views, and material simplicity, the home creates moments of connection to the landscape in every season. In summer, the family gathers outdoors for alfresco meals on the terrace. In winter, the structural walls offer warmth, quiet, and a sense of shelter.
Architect Jimmy Gray reflects:
“It feels solid and grounded — somewhere you can be in any weather.”
That grounded feeling, paired with light, texture, and restraint, is what makes the SKI House a place built to last for generations.
This project is also featured on The Local Project, with a full video walkthrough and interview. Watch the story and explore the design in detail below.
Photography Photography Simon Devitt
Building the Future with Viblock
The Wānaka S.K.I. House is a standout example of how thoughtful design and material precision can elevate even the most fundamental elements. For Viblock, it’s a project that perfectly reflects the potential of structural concrete — delivering form, function, and long-term performance in equal measure.
Featured Across Leading Design Publications
The SKI House has been widely recognised in New Zealand’s architectural community, with features in HOME Magazine and Architecture NZ. These stories explore the project’s use of Viblock structural blocks, its quiet innovation, and its deep connection to the Central Otago landscape.
Explore the full features below and see how structural simplicity can shape extraordinary outcomes.
Read the HOME Magazine Feature
Read the Architecture NZ Feature
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