An overflowing family bach was the catalyst for this self-contained cabin in the bush. Teetering on the verge of Abel Tasman National Park and surrounded by native plantings old and new, the tranquil escape is elevated above the forest floor on six-piled columns to access sweeping views across the bay.

The spectacular location is decidedly remote, only accessible by boat, so the project called for careful planning considerations and design efficiencies. Practicality was prioritised, with many elements prefabricated and transported to the site by barge, hand-carried up the hill then reassembled. Riffing off the rudimentary huts scattered throughout Aotearoa's national parks, the cabin incorporates honest, low-maintenance materials. Wrapped in dark-stained cedar and corten steel, the hardy shell gives way to a softer timber interior, where oversized glazing emphasises its connection to nature. Three interconnected spaces — an enclosed deck, living area and bedroom — flow together in a generous open plan, easily separated by sliding glazed doors and dividers for intimate effect.

The client had a few notable prerequisites for the off-grid escape. The first was an outdoor shower, which hangs amongst the Manuka at the edge of a grated steel walkway. The second, a separate toilet, is found further uphill; its concrete bunker benched into the land with a daring, fully glazed front. The final piece was a sun-drenched roof deck. Extending the corten cladding above the roofline to create a cantilevered balustrade, this airy viewpoint places you above the treeline, looking out over the bay below.