Flockhill
Villas
Located on an historic, 36,000 acre working sheep station in the Craigieburn Valley, Flockhill Villas offer another option for luxury accommodation and a unique opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the dramatic, ever-changing landscape of the South Island’s Southern Alps.
Interior Design
The client’s brief was to provide a style of accommodation that would sit harmoniously within its wild, alpine setting; was on an intimate scale, offering luxury, privacy and flexibility for guests; and that would immerse guests in the surrounding environment.
The design response was a cluster of seven gable-roofed villas that reflect the layered peaks of the Southern Alps. The villas are nestled into the landscape and orientated to maximise privacy and seclusion whilst capturing the spectacular views beyond. Each villa consists of three main volumes - a bedroom wing either side of a central living and entertainment space, with guests able to choose whether to include the living space in their booking.
The neutral materials palette of the villas is influenced by the surrounding landscape – the greys of alluvial fields, gravel scars and braided rivers are paired with dark timber and warmer tones representative of nearby forestry. This understated palette fosters a sense of belonging, while deliberately setting itself apart from the red ochres of farm buildings prevalent on the Station. The design language employed for the Villas also references the newly built Lodge to ensure a cohesive style for Flockhill Station.
Inside, heavy cast concrete flanks each volume, grounding the buildings in the landscape and instilling a sense of refuge from the exterior elements. The weight of this materiality is paired with expansive north-facing glazing - opening up the ends of the Villas so that guests can experience the full impact of the immense, gravel-scarred mountain-scape directly beyond.
