Serenely Sustainable Architecture in the Rangitikei

American design website, Inhabitat features a sustainable Taihape property. Auckland firm Copeland Associates Architects have unveiled “a gorgeous prefab timber cabin [in the Rangitikei] designed to provide a soothing off grid escape for those in need of a little quiet contemplation”, the website describes.

“Located on a green-carpeted hillside, the AB Studio Cabin is made out of prefabricated CLT panels and clad in corrugated metal sheeting, a feature that pays homage to the traditional farm buildings found in the area.

“The tiny cabin design was largely driven by the incredibly idyllic location, which is a south-east facing slope that looks out over the town of Taihape, stretching out to a majestic mountain range in the distance.

“To get a feel for the natural setting, as well as to study the sun’s movements, the architects camped out on location before creating their cabin design. According to the architects, living on site for a few days inspired them to create a nature-inspired retreat that would be used as a peaceful art studio, as well as a base to explore the expansive landscape.

“To create a sustainable design that would reduce its impact on the landscape, the design team decided to use prefabricated CLT panels. The precision-made panels were used to construct the entire structure, from the walls to the flooring and roof. Keeping waste to a bare minimum, even the joinery on the doors and built in furniture was made out the off cuts from the panel manufacturing.

“The cabin was assembled on site in just two days. Set on a grid of timer piles, the structure is elevated off the ground to reduce its footprint on the landscape.”

Original article by Nicole Jewell, Inhabitat, June 8, 2019.

Photo by Copeland Associates Architects.