Architects: Sarah Scott Architects Ltd

Location: Wanaka, New Zealand

Design Team: Barry Condon, Sarah Scott

Area: 500 sqm

Year: 2011

Photographs: Tony Brunt, Karen Dennis

Structural Engineer: Lewis Bradford

Builder: Naylor Love Construction Ltd

From the architect. The site is located in Wanaka set on a suburban island surrounded by a broad and immediate panorama of the NZ Southern Alps.

The building’s organic form alludes to the mountains that surround it. Solid walls of masonry dressed in simple plaster sweep from the entry, widening to embrace the congregation before curving inwards and focusing on the semi circular apse containing the altar. The floating leaf form of the roof inclined towards the altar rises skyward further emphasizing attention in this direction.

The interior is illuminated by natural lighting that enters through a narrow glazed clerestory ribbon that widens as it progresses towards the sanctuary subtly shifting angles to emphasise focus towards the altar. The ribbon windows offer the faithful a view of the surrounding mountains. The landscape and its changing moods are quietly present as a living backdrop to the service.