Inside The World’s Most Secret House Built Into a Mountain (House Tour)
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Published 2024-08-02
Seascape is ensconced above a rocky cove on a sprawling 4000-acre farm on New Zealand’s South Island. So remote, most people arrive at this secret house via helicopter or a long, winding farm track.
The secret house is humble, designed to exist harmoniously within the pristine cove it inhabits. The house itself is small, with just three rooms – a lobby, a combined living and sleeping area and a bathroom. It features an undulating glass wall that offers a 180-degree view of powerful, crashing waves, just metres away.
Seascape is designed as a place for couples to retreat to; the brief embedded in a kind of fantasy of a lovers' cave. Designed for only two occupants and simple in its arrangement, Seascape celebrates the simple rituals of life as a couple; bathing, sleeping, eating and connecting. This secret house is a vehicle to allow people to connect with each other and nature.
Complementing a compact and simple floorplan, the views are all-encompassing and make the space feel much larger than its actual size. An interlocking geometric facade allows views both of the bay and out to rocky spires.
Seascape is built using all-natural, local materials, including in-situ poured concrete floors and an earth-turfed roof. Notably, the home is constructed from rock quarried from the farm where it resides. With no way of getting a concrete truck to the site, all the concrete was mixed and poured by hand. The home is lined with horizontal macrocarpa wood, forming integrated joinery, wall and ceiling panels that soften the interior space both aesthetically and acoustically. Natural materials are complemented by pared-back, minimal furnishings that are mainly sourced from the locale.
Seascape’s design is also informed by nature from a very pragmatic standpoint. A large wall of double-glazed, low e-glass sits under a precast concrete earthquake shell, while shatterproof steel mullions utilise earthquake-resistant sliding heads. The structure’s integration into the escarpment above also protects occupants from falling debris. Moreover, “the wood is a reference to the ecology of the peninsula and what has been lost and here, we have used it sparingly as a liner. But it is also as a reference to the replanting and reforestation program that is in its infancy at the moment,” says Andrew Patterson, director at Patterson Associates. The home is self-sustainable, relying on on-site water harvesting and wastewater treatment.
Patterson Associates designs a secret house that is just as much a part of the landscape as it is a shelter. “Our philosophy reflects a New Zealand philosophy,” says Patterson. By tapping into the idea of connection through the natural world, this deeply moving cottage embodies what we all strive for in our homes and lives – a sense of belonging. For Patterson, the greatest joy about the project is staying there himself and experiencing this deep, unwavering affinity with nature.
00:00 - Introduction to the World’s Most Secret House
01:31 - The Layout and Aspect of the House
02:11 - Accessing the Remote Location
02:58 - An Experience Designed for Two People
05:02 - The Design Influence
05:29 - Sourcing Materials from the Site
07:12 - The Philosophy of Patterson Architects
08:01 - Favourite Aspects
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Photography by Samuel Hartnett.
Architecture by Patterson Associates.
Interior design by Jenny Anderson Interiors.
Build by Hoogervorst Builders.
Filmed and edited by O&Co. Homes.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: South Island, New Zealand
The Local Project acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa New Zealand. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
#SecretHouse #Home #TheLocalProject
All Comments (21)
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Introducing Seascape, the world’s most remote cabin located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand. Capturing the beauty and serenity of this extraordinary place was truly a pleasure for our team. We hope you enjoy watching this unique feature as much as we did creating it. This project is also featured in our latest hardcover book series, Habitats: City, Coast, and Forest, where we explore remarkable spaces like Seascape that harmonise with their natural surroundings, see here for more: thelocalproject.com.au/product/habitats-city-coast…
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It's all fun and games until you realize that you forgot to buy milk.😂
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The design, location, and thought process are simply meant to be.
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"Kind of blends in" I love the fact that he didn't say it blends in. There've been features of houses, which stick out like a sore thumb, but the architect says "it blends into its environment". Here, on the other hand, the house is literally part of the hill and you can barely notice it from the ocean, yet he still chose not to say that it blends in. Humility is an art form.
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This video is a masterpiece.
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Now that’s the masterpiece…. And I am not only talking about the architecture, design or location. The cinematography deserves Oscar. Like literally, guys, you did an incredible job. I wish you had Netflix series, or longer videos, cause I would binge them 24/7. ♥️
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I've watched these videos for a while, and have loved some projects and not liked some others - but I've never left a comment until now. This is an architectural masterpiece in a location that I could happily stay in for the rest of my life. What an amazing 'tiny' home in a stunningly beautiful, serene place. Kudos to the architect and his team!
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This one was special.
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Hands down, one of the best videos I've seen from the Local Project. Such a beautiful way to showcase the masterpiece of this little hidden gem. Thoroughly enjoyed the video so much! Thank you ❤
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Insane location + simple and cozy place = An absolute breathtaking beauty. The views are so beautiful almost feels alien.
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Insanely well done video. The videographers must have stayed out here for a week to capture the amazing variance of weather and light.
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This house truly has a story to tell. Every angle. Beautiful..
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Oh this one is stunning! In every aspect, location, concept, built. Truly beautiful.
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It's a dream house for me. Absolute perfection for people who appreciate peace, quietness and nature. ❤
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Absolutely Stunning. Exceptional. Futuristic. Subtle. Humble. Deep. Thank you so much for sharing.
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How you continue to discover the most beautiful properties in the world and tell their story is wonderful, and I'm grateful to view them.
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I love it. Love how it is hidden in nature so that it respects it. All houses should be thought like this ! Gorgeous. Less fan of the people going to this house with helicopters, and the privatization of the whole zone, basically reserving a part of nature for very rich people. But eh, that’s our world!
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Not sure why, but this was an emotional video to watch for me. Such an astonishing structure in the most beautiful cove. Congrats on this incredible film.
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A rich man’s folly. An indulgency. An unnecessary building in area of outstanding beauty.
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In general, your videos are excellent. But somehow it seems that you have put extra effort in making this one. Sponsored or not, it is a masterpiece. The property, its surroundings, and the views are exceptional.
