Sugarloaf

Situated on an historic and remote working sheep station in New Zealand’s Craigieburn Valley, Flockhill’s restaurant, Sugarloaf, invites guests to immerse themselves in the stunning landscape of the Southern Alps. The clients aimed to create a design for Sugarloaf that reflected their desire for luxury accommodation and world-class dining, while immersed in New Zealand’s farming heritage. They sought a ‘homely’ atmosphere on a commercial scale with a sense of grandeur. Ensuring the building harmonised with the Station’s existing identity was essential, while also delivering a unique guest experience. Sugarloaf strikes a delicate balance between the built form and its natural context. Despite its scale, Sugarloaf is deliberately restrained to neither compete with the landscape nor overwhelm it. It is carefully positioned to frame the landscape, exposing dramatic vistas upon entry and establishing a connection to the land as you journey through the space. A grand porte cochère draws guests in, directing them towards the impressive, oversized copper doors that offer the first touch point, hinting at the detailing and sophistication within. Verticality serves as a guiding principle throughout the design, reflected in the timber and concrete detailing and emphasising the grandeur of the interior. Rhythm and symmetry strengthen this concept evident in paired elements throughout the space - negative joinery detailing, double flues, sandwiched rafter details, and half-moon door handles for the amenities - designed as complimentary halves. Every element, from the overarching building fabric to the smallest details reflects deliberate consideration. The intricate relationship between the built form, its materials, finishes and detailing create a rich, layered tapestry of elegance and refinement, inviting exploration and discovery at every level. The building features textured, raw and honest materials to create an experience that is as sensory as it is inviting. Through the careful selection of materials, the building is at once masculine and moody, yet calm and embracing. Pared back timber, concrete and blackened steel are used both internally and externally. The ebony-stained Western Red Cedar cladding was chosen for its natural resistance properties and ability to withstand extreme climatic conditions - its subtlety taking a backseat to the incredible landscape within which the restaurant resides. Oversized, pivoting copper doors lead into a vast 7m high cathedral-style space that is shrouded in timber, lending a warmth and quiet calmness to the space. A monumental concrete fireplace punctuates the space, suspended from the ceiling by cleverly engineered steel frames hidden within the double flues. Solid stone was chosen for its natural & resilient finish - with bluestone tiling underfoot and stone slabs moulded into countertops. - the intricate veining of the stone countertops echoing the braided rivers of the rugged West Coast landscape. The masculinity of the building is further balanced by organic curves, which were introduced through soft furnishings and hardware selections. Subtle references to the surrounding mountains are made through the triangular shapes in the Tonka kitchen bench, copper heat lamps, and the delicate folds of the Bocci pendants.