Shelter amongst the rocks
The most striking and recognisable feature of the area surrounding Flock Hill Station are the famous limestone rock formations jutting out of the landscape – named Castle Hill by European settlers for their resemblance to castle ramparts.
The Ngāi Tahu people regard this area as taonga (sacred), and refer to it as Kura Tawhiti, meaning ‘treasure from a distant land’. For Ngāi Tahu, it was an important stopover point on journeys to the West Coast, and a seasonal food-gathering place. The numerous rock overhangs were used for shelter.
Flock Hill Station itself derives its name from these rock formations. Our design for the homestead looks to celebrate and reference the early habitation of the landscape by adopting an architecture that consists of the heavy masonry elements embedded in the landscape.
Unrivalled aspect
The lodge is created by placing individual units and shared spaces under a continuous roof form. The shared facilities and units are all aligned to the key view, providing all guests with an equal and spectacular outlook to Lake Pearson and Sugar Loaf Mountain.
The material palette is limited and restrained – only limestone and timber are used both externally and internally – allowing the magnificent views to be the main focus of every space.
One of the world’s most sustainable hotels
An overarching project sustainability strategy centered around longevity and expressive material simplicity. The design invests carbon upfront in high-quality materials and a high-performance envelope to enable an operational carbon payback during the use stage. Whole-of-life low-carbon design features include material selection and specification to reduce the need for refinishing and replacement.
The stripped back interior finishes have also helped to reduce the upfront embodied carbon while also contributing to its strong architectural aesthetic. Flock Hill Homestead was named one of the 'World's Most Sustainable Hotels' by The Observer, "epitomising a commitment to protecting our collective home."
