Kōhatu Retreat

Currently on the Drawing Board.

Resting within the Ōtautahi, Christchurch hills, this home is oriented to capture the changing light, soaking in sunsets across the Southern Alps while looking back toward the Port Hills and Te Kuru Wetland.

The plan brings together practicality and play. Upon entry, rhythmic oscillating windows and a curved archway set the tone. Inside, spaces shift easily between rest and work, complemented by a mezzanine loft, an internal courtyard, and sheltered outdoor deck.

Kōhatu Retreat takes its name from the site’s kōhatu (rocks), which provide habitat for mokomoko lizards, honoring the whenua is rests within.