Nostalgic journey

Designed by Tim Groenendaal and Xavier Black, Scoutabout Escapes

From the designers:

This small dwelling in Reefton, South Island, was designed and repurposed for the short-term stay market.

All design decisions were based on optimising a space for two people using it for a handful of nights – but all considered to work within the confinements of a historic structure, in a location where respect is given to heritage buildings.

The dwelling was a very early cottage built after the gold mining boom of Reefton sometime around 1878, owned for a period of time by the brewer Stewart Monteith.

When purchased by the current owner in 2021 the dwelling had been periodically used as a rental property.

The dwelling needed extensive repair in some areas due to weather tightness and long term timber rot (foundations, floorboards and some external wall framing). 

Old aluminium window frames were removed and replaced with repurposed native timber frames.

For the most part rooms were left in their existing location (bathroom, kitchen, living room), but the two bedrooms were repurposed. 

The smallest bedroom was turned into a room for listening to music, and the larger bedroom was cut off from the space and is used as a housekeeper's utilities room. 

Two internal walls were removed to create a large-open plan space, taking inspiration from NYC warehouse dwellings, where the bed area, lounging, dining and kitchen are all in an open-plan space.

Only the bathroom has a barn door that opens into the space. 

An old front door entry was closed in, and now is a wardrobe, hidden behind a very large mirror that was attached to a hinged steel frame so it functions as a door into the wardrobe.

A statement piece designed and built on site was a very large sleeper bed base and bed head, which appears to float over the native flooring. 

The weight was as such that extra floor support was required. 

The base is made from native West Coast timber sleepers and old repurposed mine rail track also from the West Coast. 

The bed head, at 160cm, doubles as a space divider, with the modular lounge system sitting on one side of the bed head – helping to form a small lounge space complete with a Warmington wood burner.

The bathrom and mudroom were totally rebuilt – including framing, foundations and cladding. 

The rebuild was necessary to address both function and form. 

Inspiration was taken from Japanese bath houses, and the Japanese practice of using burning larch wood as a cladding – known as Shou Sugi Ban. 

The larch timber on walls and ceiling was charred by Chartek in Canterbury. 

Constructed from concrete by Creative Surfaces in Christchurch, the bath takes cues from agricultural water troughs and Japanese wabi-sabi – a design of simplicity (or more literally a world view centred on the acceptance of transience and imperfection). 

Designed to be used by two guests, the tubI is oversized at approximately 2000x1000x600cm. 

The bathroom vanity sink, and kitchen sink are also in concrete, constructed by Creative Surfaces – following the same design brief. 

All pipe and tap fixtures are brass and copper and left without flashings to expose the metal connections. 

Where possible plastic was avoided – metal was used through out the dwelling.

The building incorporates durable, tactile and visually appealing materials such as rimu, copper, brass, and concrete. 

Its design balances heritage elements with modern fixtures, featuring all custom-built interiors and a layout that maximises both functionality and intimacy.

The compact space is optimised for a comfortable, private, warm space with handcrafted features within its open plan layout.

Story by: Trendsideas