FLOCKHILL HOMESTEAD

BY WARREN AND MAHONEY ARCHITECTS

As well as the mountain view this homestead frames, a striking aspect of the 36,000-acre high-country sheep station on which it’s located are the limestone rock formations that were once used for shelter by Māori as a stopover point on long journeys. The design for this dwelling looked to celebrate and reference the early habitation of the landscape by adopting heavy limestone elements and imparting a feeling of being connected to this place and truly embedded into its geography.

The pitched roof form is a reference to the agricultural use of the area and the utilitarian but beautiful structures and sheds that dot the region. It gives the building a sense of protection and connection externally, and texture and warmth internally, while enhancing the experience of the weight of the cast-concrete elements. A series of interconnected rooms, including living spaces, sitting spaces, a media room and a wine room, the homestead is designed to be used in a fluid way, with an almost continuous link between internal and external spaces. Apart from the kitchen, every room is arranged in a single strip, so the view is never lost.

The project’s sustainability strategy centered around longevity and material simplicity. The design invests carbon upfront in quality materials and a highperformance envelope to enable an operational carbon payback during the use stage. Whole-of-life lowcarbon design features include material selection and specification to reduce the need for refinishing and replacement. The stripped-back interior finishes also help to reduce the upfront embodied carbon while contributing to the strong architectural aesthetic.

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Flockhill Station itself derives its name from the dramatic rock outcrops that resemble flocks of sheep.