“The real master of this masterpiece is the wood, the recycled timber beams, the grand ceilings, the door frames, the skirting boards. The Rimu skirtings, bookshelf, and door frames came from the original homestead…the farm implements we found on the station we were able to incorporate as fixtures for the home – it’s truly magical”.

Set on over 6,462 acres, this beautiful, sustainable home was designed using adaptive reuse principles, with an emphasis on natural and recycled material… never venturing too far from its original story.

Shared with us by David and Marion, ‘The Mt Cook Homestead’ is the perfect compliment to its breath-taking surrounds, making it difficult to determine which is more magnificent, the view of Aoraki – Mount Cook, or the remarkable 600 square metre homestead itself.

With a strong focus on story-telling, the clients wanted their home to tell the tale of longevity through the creation of a luxurious dwelling in robust and rustic surrounds. By rethinking and working towards the reuse and recycling of the resources the station had on offer they were able to realise their vision of a modern take on an historical homestead.

Consistent with its emergence from this historically rich area of Aotearoa the building has incorporated many local timbers married with Architecturally chosen Classic Stone and Cedar board and baton.

The high country kitchen with sizable Heritage styled cupboards, textured Caesar Stone bench, Rimu island and separate butlery, has plenty of pantry for the preserves. The roomy ensuites and bathrooms sparkle with striking white marble tiles and recycled hardwood vanity units. Even the laundry is impressive with oodles of space, storage and another magnificent view. The fully insulated Shadowclad ply lined garage, incorporates the home’s ode to the extremes of weather with self-sufficient wood and diesel burner.

The 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, was designed with its owners exciting third age cleverly in mind. Shutting impressive, bespoke handled, central custom Cedar double doors forms a self- contained two-bedroom unit. Majestic reclaimed ceiling beams drag one’s vision through the vast dining room, with arresting canvas-worthy panorama window, toward the striking fireplace of the well-appointed lounge.

This single-level, structurally robust home, nestles into, rather than dominates, its meticulously complemented environs. Planned for outdoor entertaining, the whole outdoor space had to complement its surrounds so grasses, with their natural flowing movement in the breeze, form the base for the native planting. Precision angling ensures, the house unashamedly takes full advantage of its coveted location. Built with high end componentry with family living to the fore ensures this house is elegant but not stuffy, a place where the grandchildren are free to be kids without constant fear of causing catastrophe. Making it present as well as future proof.

We’re so grateful to our team that work tirelessly and away from their families to help create such amazing masterpieces.

Our builders worked four days (a solid 50 hours), away from home in the cold conditions of Mt Cook. The hardest part of the build was getting the framing and roof up by June 2019, it was so windy and wet. Once the roof was on and windows in, we were away.

It took just over a year to complete, with the client moving in, in March 2020. Original expectation was for the end of 2019 however the time that it would take to repurpose the wood and milling from the station was not considered in this original forecast.

Last but certainly not least, a huge thank you must go to our amazing, supportive & trusting clients David and Marion. They have been the upmost patient clients. Extremely welcoming to our team and ideas along with provided accommodation and hospitality to the boys. We appreciate their willingness and trust in Andrew and his craftmanship.

Lone Pine Building gained well deserved recognition at the 2020 Master Builder House of the Year awards, taking home the Regional Craftmanship Award, Regional Category Winner, Gold Award and has achieved Gold Reserve Top 100 status meaning this home is one of the best 100 house for 2020!

Photo Credit - Rachel Gillespie - nztraveladventure.com