Chodge Holiday Home by DCA Architects of Transformation: A Contemporary Retreat Immersed in New Zealand’s Rural Landscape

Nestled within the serene rural landscape of Whakamaru, New Zealand, the Chodge Holiday Home by DCA Architects of Transformation is a striking exploration of interstitial space, the fluid boundary between inside and outside. Completed in 2023 and spanning 299 m², this contemporary retreat reimagines the iconic Kiwi tradition of living across the threshold of nature, offering a home that performs seamlessly across all seasons.

The design revolves around a bold interplay of two architectural layers:

1. A highly insulated, cave-like inner structure; and
2. A light-filled, expansive outer shell with large operable openings that dissolve the boundary between the building and the landscape.

This duality creates a “house within a house,” allowing occupants to choose between intimacy, openness, or a combination of both at any moment.

A Design Shaped by Landscape, Seasons, and Long-Term Site Connection

The clients had camped on the bare site for over 14 years, developing a profound connection with the land’s rhythms: daylight cycles, seasonal changes, and the rugged beauty of the Waikato region. Their brief called for a home that:

• Feels intimate for two yet easily expands to accommodate up to ten people
• Maintains deep visual and physical connection to the landscape
• Evokes the raw authenticity of rural New Zealand architecture
• Supports year-round living, regardless of weather conditions

DCA Architects embraced this vision by designing a layered spatial configuration that blurs the boundaries between shelter and openness, past and present, nature and architecture.

The Woolshed Vernacular Reinterpreted

Drawing inspiration from the existing woolshed on the property, the architects adopted a simple, functional roof pitch and unadorned external profile, grounding the home in the rural vernacular. The outer cladding is both weathertight and light-emitting, using translucent materials that glow softly during the day and radiate warmth at night.

This outer shell is equipped with large operable openings, including fire-station-style and aircraft hangar doors, which, when fully open, transform the structure into a vast, breezy veranda. This creates an adaptable threshold space ideal for summer living, entertaining, and embracing the natural surroundings.

A Passive Haus-Inspired Inner Sanctuary

Inside the translucent exterior lies an extruded wooden volume designed according to Passive Haus principles. This inner home forms the thermal and acoustic core of the project, offering:

• High insulation
• Exceptional energy efficiency
• Warm, contemplative timber interiors
• A “cave-like” atmosphere contrasting the bright outer layer

The wood-clad interior provides all primary living functions: kitchen, bedrooms, and communal zones, creating a central sanctuary for colder months or moments of retreat.

Living in the Interstitial Space

The magic of the Chodge Holiday Home lies in the expansive “in-between” zone created by the outer shell and inner volume. This interstitial space becomes:

• A climate-responsive buffer
• A flexible living and social area
• A modern interpretation of the classic New Zealand veranda
• A place to dwell comfortably regardless of weather

The mezzanine-level sleeping areas enhance this dynamic spatial quality. Evoking the clients’ history of camping on the site, these elevated nooks align with natural daylight rhythms, with simple curtain systems offering adjustable privacy.

Architecture That Honors Past, Present, and Place

The Chodge Holiday Home is more than a rural retreat: it is a thoughtful architectural response to lifestyle, landscape, and memory. By creating a flexible threshold between interior comfort and outdoor immersion, DCA Architects of Transformation deliver a retreat that celebrates the essence of New Zealand holiday living while offering robust, future-forward environmental performance.

All photographs are works of  Simon Devitt