The Lantern, Kāpiti Coast

Currently on the drawing board: With views from the bush clad ridgeline in the east to the coast and Kapiti island in the west, the site is an idyllic place for a compact, clever home to rise up amongst the trees: a protective nest in the canopy.

A place of privacy and retreat away from the city and its busy energy, The Lantern is modest in spatial terms, yet rich in efficiency. Inside, layers of space provide a functionality that belies the compact footprint, with the quality of light and transformation that shoji screens lend to Japanese architecture.

A concrete tower grounds the building in the earth, while stretching towards the sky, providing a light well to the interior spaces below and an outdoor galerie des oiseaux for bird watching.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, enjoying expansive coastal views, while the living room and bedrooms nestle into the bush: quiet, intimate and zen.

The structure is low-impact and respectful, but permanent, seasoned and wise, as if it has been there for an age already. It echoes the natural beauty of its surrounds in its materials and finishes. A dark, protective skin reveals a warm, woody interior. The exterior is clean, streamlined and seamless, blending into its environment.