Kereru Retreat

Project Description

Kereru Retreat is a micro cabin that reinterprets the rural New Zealand vernacular and blends effortlessly into its surrounding landscape. The brief was simple. Design and construct a retreat that provided a place where we could unplug from the demands of modern society and reconnect liberally with nature. The retreat is fully transportable, adaptable to different environments with the ability to seasonally migrate from its current roost at the foothills of Mount Hutt. The antithesis of “bigger is better”, the retreat focuses on achieving quality finishes within a small but seemingly spacious footprint of 17.3 square metres (22.6 square metres including loft). Due to its small scale there was a demand for a highly efficient floor plan that provided only the necessities for a retreat experience. The linear gable form also needed to comply with transport dimension limits. An off-grid solar system, composting toilet and rainwater tank ensures that the retreat has a truly light environmental footprint. The entry and living spaces are at the centre, spilling out onto a deck surrounded by ancient Kōwhai trees. The sleeping area is focused towards the morning sun with the bathroom at the opposite end with a loft space seated above. The raised bed with uninterrupted glazing behind becomes a captivating focal point once inside. The handcrafted barn-style shutters can be closed to hideaway in shelter, or fully opened to unveil the framed landscape view. A built in sofa with ample storage positioned next to a miniature wood burner completes the interior planning. The exterior materials draw influence from the simple and robust local rural barns with a corrugated iron roof and walls paired with a weathered Douglas Fir rain screen on the gable faces. Operable shutters over the windows provide shading during summer and protection during transport. The interior is enriched with locally grown untreated timbers throughout including, Pine, Lawson Cypress, Poplar and Macrocarpa. These are softly accented with natural fabrics, stainless steel surfaces and handcrafted copper tapware. From the bespoke spouting, made from a modest folded flashing, to the crisp alignment of internal surfaces devoid of any timber mouldings, playing a personal hand in the construction truly enriched the design experience and ensured detailing was perfected through material experimentation. The end result exudes simplicity and achieves an intimate connection with nature.