Image: Render supplied

PROJECT DETAILS

Nestled in Wanaka and backing onto the Sticky Forest reserve, the Alpine Resort embodies an ‘alpine-inspired’ holiday retreat, blending modern mass timber construction with breathtaking natural surroundings.

At the heart of the design are huge raking glulam beams, which not only provide structural support but also frame expansive views of Lake Wanaka, the Southern Alps, Mount Aspiring, and Treble Cone ski field. CLT floors and stairs, visible from multiple angles, highlight the aesthetic and structural potential of mass timber, while a dark stain on the glulam enhances the natural growth rings, complementing the moody, atmospheric interior.

Engineered for long-term durability, the glulam is H3.1 treated, while CLT and framing meet H1.2 standards using natural treatments aligned with New Zealand regulations. The project also integrates value-engineered Douglas Fir framing, a cost-effective alternative to LVL that performs well in Central Otago’s climate.

Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the build, with extensive use of local mass timber, wool carpets, and mid-floor exterior planter boxes for tussock grasses and hanging foliage. Red Stag TimberLab played a key role in the project, supplying mass timber and Douglas Fir framing while ensuring the lowest Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for mass timber in Australasia.

South Island engineers, developers, architects and constructors should attend.

Image: Render supplied