New Beginnings – The Shack by Alice Lines, Detail by Davinia Sutton, Paul Rolfe Architects and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

A creative collaboration between Alice Lines and Detail by Davinia Sutton, the rebirth of The Shack aligns with a new beginning for iconic New Zealand wine label Cloudy Bay. Immediately capturing attention with its raw and iconic form, The Shack has been instilled with references to the landscape.

After burning down and being rebuilt in 2012, with award-winning architecture by Paul Rolfe Architects and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, the guesthouse incorporates connections to its surroundings through a selection of materials and design choices by Alice Lines and Detail by Davinia Sutton. “The building itself has a real presence in the estate,” says Alice. “Our task was to prioritise the needs of the interior to reflect Cloudy Bay’s hosting and entertaining requirements. Ultimately, it was time to see a new evolution of this space.”

“The building itself has a real presence in the estate,” says Alice. “Our task was to prioritise the needs of the interior to reflect Cloudy Bay’s hosting and entertaining requirements. Ultimately, it was time to see a new evolution of this space.”

Tasked to imbue the guesthouse with the essence of a ‘home away from home’, both Davinia and Alice have selected warm and welcoming materials that reference different aspects of the natural surroundings. As such, a selection of timber and stone typical to the region helps to provide a connection to the warm and robust aspects of the land. Furthermore, a creative individuality permeates each of the guestrooms. The Cloud Room offers a calming and cool reference to the vineyard’s locale; the Mountain Room picks up on the hues of Richmond ranges; and the River Room references the stones and textures of the nearby river. With its unique design, The Shack embodies the exuberance and beauty of New Zealand’s mountain ranges.

In the kitchen, Davinia has created a space of connection. By opening the kitchen up and adding open-counter benchtops, the space can be used by hired chefs or guests can cook for themselves. “We really wanted to focus upon the interaction between food and wine, while celebrating that journey that occurs through the art of cooking and hosting,” says Davinia. “As such, we opened up the kitchen to be full view, allowing guests and kitchen staff to interact, further celebrating the spirit of the Cloudy Bay brand.”

Tasked to imbue the guesthouse with the essence of a ‘home away from home’, both Davinia and Alice have selected warm and welcoming materials that reference different aspects of the natural surroundings.

Providing a unique escape filled with warmth and celebration, The Shack sits on the Cloudy Bay estate and instils a presence of grandeur. By embodying the exuberance and splendour of New Zealand, The Shack is an escape that offers guests an opportunity to embrace all that the Cloudy Bay label and the vineyards have to offer.