Encased Calm – Black Quail by Bergendy Cooke

Quite literally nestled into the hillside, Black Quail burrows itself into the rockface as a protective gesture from the prevailing winds and unfavourable climatic conditions of it siting. Bergendy Cooke take cues from a previous miner’s cottage vernacular, to propose a home of encased calm amongst the elements.

Balancing between wanting to be an open embrace of its surrounds and the need for an ingrained sense of protection from the elements, Black Quail is formed from its own unique language. Sitting in Central Otago, in Bannockburn, the uniquely conceived home is located down from the owner’s own rowed vineyards and is imbedded into the rockface. From its approach, the form appears unassuming and submissive, even unrecognisable as a residence. Yet once inside, the story of its owners and of the enviable surrounds, all reveal themselves. Similar to the lineage of miner’s cottages dotted throughout the valley, this contemporary iteration also sits low and nestled in place, reinterpreted. Bergendy Cooke create a home of protective shelter for its residents, while also imbedding a formally challenging and unexpected element into the terrain.

Constructed primarily from precast concrete, the form becomes anchored in place both in form and materiality, while steel sheets clad the exterior and allow time to create a pattern of its own through patina.

Built by Tony Quirk Builders, Black Quail required a non-traditional approach, and a weighted relationship to site. Sheltered in its final positioning, the resulting form also needed to form a comfortable enclave from which to watch the changing landscape below and beyond. While the entry uses principles of compression, on the opposite façade, generous glazing allows uninterrupted views, while directing the view outward. Constructed primarily from precast concrete, the form becomes anchored in place both in form and materiality, while steel sheets clad the exterior and allow time to create a pattern of its own through patina. As an almost protective shield in gest, the steel reinforces the strength of the concrete, adding a defined edge.

Internally, the home feels modern and refined. After being funnelled through the entrance, and passing chamfered walls, each room feels connected through a shared openness. Polished concrete flooring runs underfoot for the length of the home, and out onto the external courtyard space. Also positioned to be protected from winds, the walled outdoor space opens to the south and the surrounds, while having its back formed from the house itself. As a direct contrast to the exterior harshness, the interior is intentionally well appointed, with refined and tactile elements. The immediate landscape that sits immediately surrounding the home then offers a buffer between the polished and the rough, and a further ring of protection.

Sheltered in its final positioning, the resulting form also needed to form a comfortable enclave from which to watch the changing landscape below and beyond.

In its responsive sensitivity, Black Quail is a welcomed addition to its location, seeing Bergendy Cooke create an empathetic and contextually relevant insertion.