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Tahuna Wairiki
Tahuna Wairiki
Queenstown, New Zealand
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Tahuna Wairiki
Queenstown, New Zealand
Firm
Type
STATUS
Concept
YEAR
2026
SIZE
5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft
BUDGET
$10M - 50M
The project site is located in Tahuna Waiariki (Queenstown, New Zealand). Set on an elevated sloping area of land approx. 80m x 100m in size and positioned between mountains and lake, the site has stunning views across Whakatipu Waimāori (Lake Wakatipu).
The project brief was to design thermal baths that provide a truly unique New Zealand bathing experience. Two main circular buildings wrap around large existing trees on the site with internalised spaces that provide entry areas for ticketing, retail, food + beverage areas, change rooms and private spa facilities. Externally there are five large communal outdoor pools set amongst the forest, each offering differing temperatures and water experiences, along with ten private pools for exclusive use.
The proposal looks to form a circular, regenerative system, working with nature not against it. We chose to retain the existing exotic trees on the site and form the architectural elements around the trees, highlighting them as important elements in the formation of the place.
It was decided that the site should be returned, as closely as possible, to how it was prior to being clear felled for farming by Europeans. The place once again should become a native podocarp Kahere (forest).
The idea formed of pure carved stone bowls not unlike traditional Māori Kumete. Visually elevated within elliptical discs, pure fresh water displayed as Taonga (of high value), an element to be respected and protected amongst the forest. A place of regeneration.
The form of the architectural interventions were designed to be of the land, emerging from it rather than placed on top. The pools and their surrounding curved protective structures were designed as earthen embankments with slatted timber awnings which provide both shelter and privacy. Emphasising a directionality towards the lake. Carved landscape (in the form of Ha-ha walls) are utilised to provide security from the outside without detracting as another man made device.
The experience of the bather was seen as not only consisting of the heated water itself but also of experiencing it while being encapsulated in a regenerating native New Zealand forest environment.
The pure hot water, forest, birdsong, and view to lake and mountains all assisting in the rejuvenation of the user.
The project brief was to design thermal baths that provide a truly unique New Zealand bathing experience. Two main circular buildings wrap around large existing trees on the site with internalised spaces that provide entry areas for ticketing, retail, food + beverage areas, change rooms and private spa facilities. Externally there are five large communal outdoor pools set amongst the forest, each offering differing temperatures and water experiences, along with ten private pools for exclusive use.
The proposal looks to form a circular, regenerative system, working with nature not against it. We chose to retain the existing exotic trees on the site and form the architectural elements around the trees, highlighting them as important elements in the formation of the place.
It was decided that the site should be returned, as closely as possible, to how it was prior to being clear felled for farming by Europeans. The place once again should become a native podocarp Kahere (forest).
The idea formed of pure carved stone bowls not unlike traditional Māori Kumete. Visually elevated within elliptical discs, pure fresh water displayed as Taonga (of high value), an element to be respected and protected amongst the forest. A place of regeneration.
The form of the architectural interventions were designed to be of the land, emerging from it rather than placed on top. The pools and their surrounding curved protective structures were designed as earthen embankments with slatted timber awnings which provide both shelter and privacy. Emphasising a directionality towards the lake. Carved landscape (in the form of Ha-ha walls) are utilised to provide security from the outside without detracting as another man made device.
The experience of the bather was seen as not only consisting of the heated water itself but also of experiencing it while being encapsulated in a regenerating native New Zealand forest environment.
The pure hot water, forest, birdsong, and view to lake and mountains all assisting in the rejuvenation of the user.
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