Speargrass Home
Set within the rural landscape of Speargrass, Queenstown, this extensive renovation transformed an existing home into a contemporary alpine retreat. The brief called for a substantial reimagining of the interior, creating generous communal spaces and welcoming guest accommodation while strengthening the relationship between the home and its surrounding landscape.
Through extensive spatial reconfiguration, the primary living areas were more than doubled in size. The existing structure was reworked and expanded, creating a home that balances the generosity required for family gatherings with spaces for privacy and retreat.
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At the heart of the home are two great rooms, mirrored in architectural form yet contrasting in function. Dramatic gabled volumes and exposed rafters fundamentally transform the character of the interior, while steel-clad fireplaces anchor each space. One great room is dedicated to living and dining, while the other provides a more relaxed environment for recreation and informal gathering. Despite their scale, careful attention to proportion, materiality and spatial planning creates rooms that remain comfortable and intuitive to occupy.
Vaulted volumes are connected through a central kitchen and relaxed dining space.
Vaulted volumes are connected through a central kitchen and relaxed dining space.
Central to the home’s experience is the kitchen, the meeting point of the two great rooms. The island concept is based on a contemporary interpretation of a refectory table, where traditional mortise-and-tenon detailing and subtle shifts in stone finishes reference the ritual of shared meals. Bandsawn timber finish introduces texture and tactility. Bathrooms continue the grounded sensibility with aged, solid materials, steel details, and sculptural elements, while cedar linings introduce warmth and reinforce a sense of retreat throughout.
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Generous in scale yet grounded in materiality, Speargrass Home balances gathering and retreat within the dramatic Queenstown landscape.
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Led by Sonya Cotter, the interior design was developed with clarity of purpose and a deep understanding of how shared family spaces evolve over time. The interiors are designed to feel both generous and personal, supporting everyday living as well as seasonal gatherings with confidence and ease. Speargrass Home is a testament to residential design that balances strength, comfort, material intelligence, and spatial grace.
