Kinloch Retreat

The site is located on a flat elevated building platform surrounded by steep berms, the Otaketake Stream Scenic Reserve, and Lake Taupō. The project respects its lakeside location, integrating the built form into a unique ecosystem and topography. The main house is made up of two forms, a two-storey box housing the living, bedroom and bathroom spaces and a one-story kitchen / dining pavilion which angles to celebrate Lake Taupō views. Materials include "Abodo" Vertical Charred weatherboard to the exterior which have been selected for durability in a lakeside and volcanic environment, while natural Cedar and Hemlock paneling to the interior create a sense of refuge from the sometimes harsh, climatic conditions. The plan is organised around a central outdoor courtyard space, which acts as the social hub of the retreat. Living spaces, with views to the lake beyond, radiate around this courtyard.