A clever Wanaka crib has wowed judges at Home magazine’s Home of the Year 2020 Awards.

The 150m2 crib is made of two gables and a chisel roof which creates three enclosed courtyards and packs room to sleep ten into its modest square footage.

The property, completed in 2019, took out the Dulux Best Colour and Detail Award. It was designed by architecture firm Pac Studio.

Pac Studio said the house is located in a wood lined field near the lake’s edge. 

“The detailing exaggerates and abstracts southern green roof sheds to create the look of an ad hoc settlement,” Pac Studio said in a statement on its website.

A simple bunkroom packs in plenty of beds for guests; interior courtyards are created with careful placement of the gables. 

“Façade elements accent the composition – a mustard reading nook box, concealed venting openings, triangulated high-level windows, and corrugated steel wall with floating entry boardwalk.”

The firm has used colour, texture and a mixture of materials to evoke the mood of a traditional crib while still bringing in some distinctly modern elements.

“The graduated weatherboards and razor-thin roof edge detail make a striking profile. The interior is lined with a combination of southern beech, recycled kauri, rimu, plywood and terrazzo. Dark concrete floors merge with local stone paving dissolving to the grassy surrounds.” 

A rich material palette makes the crib feel cosy and earthy.

The judges applauded this use of colour in the design.

A kitchen and dining room are separated from a cosy living room, and for sleeping there are two bedrooms, a bunkroom which sleeps four and an attic space which can double as a sleeping space.

The crib is a place to relax, Pac Studio said. 

This year marked the 25th annual Home of the Year Awards.

PHOTOS: Pac Studio