New Zealand escape

For those who yearn for style, seclusion and awe-inspiring views this beach-side cottage is set into a rock escarpment in a tiny boulder strewn South Pacific cove located on the Banks Peninsula in the majestic volcanic landscape of New Zealand’s South Island. Designed as a honeymoon retreat consisting of just three rooms, a lobby, living/sleeping and a bathroom.

Designed by Pattersons Associates Architects the retreat is built using all local materials and is constructed largely from rock quarried near its site with in-situ poured concrete floors and an earth turfed roof. The structure is integrated into the escarpment above to protect occupants from falling debris.

The project incorporated an extensive reforestation and re-vegetation sub project. Its plan is an interlocking geometry responding to both near views of the Bay and far views out to Rocky Spires.  The interior is lined with horizontal macrocarpa wood integrated joinery, wall and ceiling panels behind double glazed low e-glass in storm and shatter proof steel mullions which utilise earthquake resistant sliding heads.

This little house is at the top of my bucket list !

Seascape retreat by Pattersons Associates Architects