Located in the rural landscape near Ohakune, the residence is conceptually anchored by its panoramic view of Mount Ruapehu. Perched on a gentle hillside, the home acts as a viewing deck—a grounded yet elevated platform that celebrates its connection to the mountain and surrounding wilderness.
The design is composed of interlocking timber volumes arranged around a central living area and fireplace, which form the heart of the home. This spatial organisation balances openness and intimacy: a guest wing and private retreat for the owners are connected along a bi-axial circulation route, while framed openings punctuate the mountain view. Volumes subtly shift in scale to create smaller pockets of space, expressed as window seats, study nooks, and moments of pause between the main living zones.
Externally, the home is anchored by sculptural concrete walls that tie it to the hillside, while the upper form is clad in Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) timber—a traditional Japanese charring technique that produces a deep, textured black finish. This process strengthens and preserves the timber, creating a durable, low-maintenance façade that harmonises with the surrounding forest.
Three external decks extend from different sides of the house, capturing all-day sun and offering varied levels of privacy and engagement with the natural surroundings.
In contrast, the interior reveals a light natural timber palette with exposed beams and a warm, Scandinavian-inspired atmosphere. The result is a calm, tactile environment that balances the home’s strong, sculptural exterior.
At the centre of the plan, a sunken lounge offers an intimate gathering space that maintains visual connection with the kitchen and dining areas, enhancing the home’s sense of flow and cohesion. Here, the floor level has been intentionally elevated so that through the large, framed window, Mount Ruapehu appears reflected in the pond before the house—amplifying the visual relationship between architecture and landscape.
The project was developed in close collaboration with Bairdbuilt of Mangaweka, whose precision and craftsmanship underpin the home’s prefabricated construction system. Structural components—including the floors, walls, and roof—were panelised and preassembled off-site, then delivered to site in a sequenced installation. This method enables rapid assembly and ensures the building can be enclosed and weatherproofed within weeks, significantly reducing on-site construction time while maintaining exceptional quality control.
Designed to be both innovative and enduring, the Bloomfield Residence demonstrates how prefabrication and traditional craftsmanship can merge to create a refined, efficient, and deeply contextual home—one that embraces modern building methods while remaining rooted in place.