Completed in 2014, the Eyrie Cabins are a pair of small, autonomous holiday homes designed by New Zealand-based Cheshire Architects. Sited on a grassy hill overlooking the Kaiwaka Harbour, near the Tasman Sea, the cabins were conceived as a polemic against the trend of overly large and ostentatious holiday homes. Each cabin measures just 29 square meters, embracing a minimalist philosophy to intensify the connection between occupant and nature.

The design is a bold response to its isolated, pristine setting, with the two cabins deliberately positioned low on the slope rather than on the hilltop plot that was originally assigned. This decision was made to make the structures less conspicuous and to help them feel like an intimate part of the landscape rather than something that dominates it.

The cabins are clad in burnt black timber, a treatment inspired by the abstract painter Kazimir Malevich. This creates a stark, monolithic form that contrasts dramatically with the vivid green of the hillside and helps the structures blend into the landscape.

In a radical departure from traditional cabin design, the Eyrie Cabins have no doors. Entry is gained by climbing a series of boulders and entering through a pull-down window. This subversion of standard building language was intended to make the small structures feel like something more than just houses—like small, autonomous vessels.

Large, oblong windows are strategically placed to frame specific views of the coast and the hillside, while solid side walls ensure privacy between the two cabins. This limited fenestration creates a deeply interior, contemplative experience, contrasting with the typical desire for "indoor-outdoor flow" in coastal architecture.

The cabins embody a philosophical stance against architectural decadence. By using minimal materials and a compact form, the project advocates for a more thoughtful and humble vision for coastal architecture in New Zealand.

While the cabins present a stark, matching exterior, their interiors are beautifully and uniquely individualized for the two separate clients. The interior design emphasizes luxury through thoughtful detailing rather than opulent size.

Cabin 1: Features a small, brass-clad kitchen, adding a jewel-like touch of luxury to the dark space.

Cabin 2: Showcases the rich grain of oiled jarrah wood, which contrasts with the lighter tones of standard construction plywood.

The material palette is restrained but carefully selected to enhance the serene and introspective atmosphere.

Project credits

Architect: Cheshire Architects (led by Nat Cheshire and Ian Scott).

Photography: Jeremy Toth.