Whareroa
Our clients owned a much-loved bach in Whareroa, at the southern end of Lake Taupō — a place that slows life down while offering easy access to passions like trail riding and fly fishing. Perched high above the village, the site commands sweeping views north across the lake and dramatic vistas to the hills beyond. The existing dwelling, though cherished, belonged to a time when draughts and cold were tolerated, and it struggled to accommodate the larger gatherings they envisioned. The next chapter meant room for teenage children and their friends, as well as space to host guests with comfort and privacy. The brief was to preserve the bach’s intimacy and humble spirit while creating compact, purposeful spaces in a design that felt simple, site-sensitive, and true to the character of Whareroa.
Accolades
The design response centered on gently cascading the home down the slope, allowing it to settle seamlessly into the contours of the hill. The form breathes in and out — expanding to capture sweeping views and daylight, then drawing close to create moments of shelter and intimacy. This rhythm gives each space its own character while, from the outside, reading as a cluster of modest structures gathered together. Landscaped gardens weave deep into the composition, dissolving the boundary between land and building until they feel inseparable. Aesthetically, the language draws from the natural and the time-worn, with nods to the rustic craft of lakeside cabins from decades past. The result is a home that feels inevitable here — deeply rooted in the landscape and the lifestyle of this small lakeside community.
The space planning unfolds in harmony with the site’s rhythm. Intimately scaled living spaces run across the frontage, capturing the northerly aspect and sweeping lake views, while keeping a visual link to the drive behind — a practical connection for daily rituals like boat washing. To one side, a primary sleeping pod is paired with its own amenities. Behind a landscaped courtyard — drawing in westerly light and garden views — sits a second sleeping pod with bunk room, coupled with a bathroom and laundry in the spirit of a campground amenity block. A generous wraparound entry and service deck, complete with outdoor shower, buffers the main dwelling from garage and storage. A simple roof plane, mirroring the slope of the hill, shelters the ensemble like a tent fly, with slatted soffits filtering light into covered outdoor spaces.
The architectural form is simple yet layered, its sweeping roof plane gathering each wing and pod into a cohesive cluster of refined, rustic dwellings. Clad in rustic-grade, dark-stained Redwood shiplap, the knotty texture offers an honest nod to lakeside cabins, unifying the composition in a peaceful, uncomplicated expression. Grounding elements and structural posts carry pockets of earthy green paint, merging with the surrounding landscape. Warm, character timber flows into macrocarpa slatted soffits, dappling light across timber boardwalk decking. Inside, warmth continues with clear-coated Triboard tongue-and-groove linings, a custom steel-surrounded fireplace, and a blackbutt veneer kitchen wrapped in stainless steel. Cork floors tie the spaces together while enhancing the sustainability of this highly insulated, thermally broken dwelling. Part cabin, part utilitarian workhorse, and part luxury retreat — Whareroa is ready for new memories.
"Our project was to either renovate or rebuild our family Bach at Lake Taupo. We have owned the property for 20 years and our thoughts were to keep it fit for purpose for the next 20 years. To us our family bach is a special place full of memories and good times. Adam and his team took on our project with care, professionalism, talent, experience and knowledge. We ended up building a new bach on our existing site which has exceeded our expectations in every way. Adam and his team have definitely added to the joy and quality that is our Family Bach. ATA Studio were a pleasure to deal with from start to finish."
Kelly Glover and Suzie Foggo