Shepherds Hut by Fearon Hay sits at the edge of Lake Wānaka on a remote southern peninsula in New Zealand.
Responsive to its natural setting, Fearon Hay director and architect Tim Hay explains that the design “seeks to frame the surrounding environment, not compete with it. The result is a modest, low-lying form that feels embedded—both physically and conceptually—in the terrain”.
“Positioned to take advantage of natural contours and sheltered pockets within the land,” the wilderness of the southern alps is intended as the primary experience. Honouring the nostalgia and proportions of a traditional shepherds hut, the building is wrapped in “weathered timber and zinc-materials that will patinate with time and exposure”. Natural style planting undertaken across the site is intended to grow up and around the structure, softening its edges over time and pulling the architecture further into the land.
“Internally, western red cedar provides a warmer counterpoint, used consistently across walls and ceilings to create a unified, immersive” experience. With interiors designed by Paul Kennedy, a relaxed and comfortable retreat with two bedrooms at either end both with en suite with meticulously crafted onsen bath and stone backrest open out to expansive views of the local landscape.
Timber detailing in cedar is a defining element of the interiors. Pictured: Fisher & Paykel oven, induction cooktop and integrated dish drawer.
An open view from the dining room off the kitchen through to one of the secondary living room/flex spaces and bedroom at the far end. Pictured: Fearon Hay custom dining table, Tom Dixon chairs for Moroso, Simon James custom sofa in fabric by Misia, Ariake custom side table, and Flos Bellhop floor lamp.
The floor plan eschews the traditional hallway for a series of connected and open spaces. These can be closed partially by dissolving solid cedar walls allowing fireplace warmth in the wintertime to filter through or completely closed off for privacy. In fact, the “spatial arrangement was developed to accommodate varied patterns of occupation, from solitary retreat to shared family inhabitation” Fearon Hay director and project architect Jeff Fearon says.
Holding the charm of the past, two “self-contained suites are connected by a central living spine, allowing the dwelling to expand or contract depending on need. This flexibility is underpinned by a cohesive material and formal language, ensuring the experience remains unified regardless of scale or use.” The kitchen is a case in point, positioned centrally with an adjoining living area that can be open during the summer months creating an indoor-outdoor space or closed in colder climates.
Separate side-by-side structures housing a laundry, linen room, and two bunkrooms with central bathroom, leads to a protected outdoor seating and upper deck area that maximises incredible views to the lake and mountains. In the main space, the living areas provide most of the hut’s storage needs and add to the simplified nature of the home. “The amenities are minimal by design, but carefully considered: a comfortable sleeping nook, a well-appointed double-sided kitchen, and a sitting area that frames views”.
The resolve of the client to simplify and prioritise the essentials typifies the build. “The compactness of the hut meant every detail had to be purposeful, and these moments of precision contribute significantly to its charm.”
Durable materials and a high level of craftsmanship feature throughout the interiors. Pictured: Custom onsen bath with Boffi tapware.
Devised as a series of interconnected rooms, the home can expand or contract. Pictured: Ligne Roset bed designed by Peter Maly, Bed Threads linen and a Shaker long bench wood-burner from Oblica.
