You don’t have to be precious with an old bach. They’re used to the knocks, bumps and sandy feet of holiday life, growing rich in character (and stories) with age. So when a family outgrows their holiday home – as the owners of the old three-bed, one-bath bach that stood on this Whareroa site did – it’s important that the next chapter preserves that original essence and romance.

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Much of that comes down to materiality, says ata director Adam Taylor. Rather than creating a polished retreat, this new holiday home, built by J Levien Builders, leans into the robustness of a cabin. Dark redwood cladding is paired with macrocarpa, plywood, MDF, cork flooring and Triboard – a hardy material more commonly used to line garages. By deliberately avoiding precious or costly finishes, the house carries an ingrained informality, setting a relaxed tone. That attitude even made its way into the drawings, with the main living area labelled “Chill/Hang” from the get-go. “It’s architecture that sets a mood without you knowing it,” says Taylor.

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The site is pitch perfect: elevated, north-facing and open to expansive views across the lake and the hills beyond. Following the land’s natural contours, Taylor gently stepped the home down the slope in a practical, legible plan. Dining, kitchen and living spaces, along with the family bedrooms, occupy the front of the site, where distinctive Altherm glazing frames the outlook. Behind all that, a landscaped courtyard provides breathing space between the main house and a separate guest sleeping pod. Here, a bathroom, laundry and mudroom nod to the utilitarian charm of a campground amenity block, opening to a covered porch where dirty boots and wet jackets can be left behind.

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While the views are impressive, Taylor was equally intent on opening up connections and sightlines through the home to ease the rhythms of everyday life. “The daily goings on are just as important, and we didn’t want to ignore that,” he says. Days here revolve around the outdoors – fly fishing, dirt biking, wakeboarding and mountain biking – and plenty of time spent tinkering with vehicles and equipment. To connect the inside to the workspace/driveway, Taylor installed a set of Altherm glass sliders behind the kitchen. It’s a unique move, perfectly in step with the family’s routines. The high, mountain-framing fixed-pane window above is a stellar finishing touch.

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Designed for year-round use, the house opens easily in summer, yet remains warm and inviting through winter. The heavily insulated walls, floors and roof are paired with thermally improved Altherm joinery, while a central woodburner brings a layer of warmth and romance. By blending the natural materiality and informality of a lakeside bach with sensible spatial planning tailored to the family, ata has created a holiday home that honours its past and prepares to carry the owners, their children and their grandchildren into the future.

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To see more of this project, including video and podcast, click here.

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