Perched on a steep Te Whanganui-a-Tara/ Wellington hillside, Cabin_001 transforms a challenging site into a warm, versatile retreat. Designed through a close co-design process with the clients, the project combines a creative studio, guest accommodation and entertaining space within a compact footprint.

Limited access and the site's topography shaped the design from the outset. Elevated on piles, the cabin sits lightly within the landscape, minimising earthworks while capturing views into the surrounding trees. Large sliding doors and generous glazing blur the boundary between indoors and out, making the space feel larger than its modest size.

Every square meter has been carefully considered, with integrated joinery and clever storage creating a highly functional interior without compromising simplicity.

A restrained palette of natural timber and corrugated metal cladding reflects the project's design philosophy; warm, durable and timeless. The dark cladding allows the building to recede into its bush setting, while timber introduces warmth and texture throughout.

Cabin_001 is a reflection of what can be achieved through genuine collaboration. The clients arrived with a clear vision and a collection of ideas that spoke to how they wanted the building to feel and function. Through an iterative co-design process, those aspirations were refined into a practical architectural solution that responds equally to the site, budget and lifestyle.

The result is more than a sleepout or studio. It is a carefully crafted retreat that demonstrates how thoughtful design, honest materials and a strong relationship between architect and client can create something enduring from even the smallest footprint.