DESKTOP
MOBILE
Designed by: Mark Gacesa, Ultraspace
Photography by: Mark Gacesa
Concept / theme
The owners wanted a fun, modern boutique-hotel aesthetic with a robust industrial jungle theme.
The design was to feel adventurous, lush, immersive, and luxurious – combining rugged natural environment, industrial elements, and playful features.
Goals & objectives
- To design a new internal structure plan re-using and adapting an existing structural footprint, based on a steel portal frame engineered for high wind / cyclone resilience.
- Each suite to be uniquely themed, ensuited, with illuminated name plaques.
- To include a bunk room that sleeps six – designed to be playful, safe, comfortable, and exciting – with full multiple charging facilities.
- To integrate and blur the boundary between inside and outside – maximising relationships with the natural environment (views, vegetation, daylight, breezes).
- To use materials, forms, light, texture, and structure in ways that reflect both the industrial and jungle elements: steel / impervious finishes / robust construction, combined with lush planting / natural looking faux timber / organic forms.
-
Living – hard to believe this is a lock-and-leave guest residence. To deliver an ultra-low maintenance, high durability design able to withstand remote conditions (salt spray, storms, corrosion, limited servicing).
- Able to be fully closed down and locked off for when the facilities are not in use.
Site context & constraints
- Remote island – logistics for materials, transport, labour will be more challenging.
- Climate – tropical, can be hot, humid, with potential storms, salt air / sea spray.
- Vegetation – existing native flora, potential for wildlife, desire to preserve / integrate landscape.
- Views, topography – views to ocean, vegetation, possibly uneven terrain; orientation for wind / sun / shade was critical.
- Utilities – on-site systems for power generation, water supply, wastewater treatment – sustainability was vital.
Design solutions and features
- Distance between structural portal vertical beams was 5m – the living space had potential to open up to 5m in one direction and 10m in the adjacent direction – with the use of Vitrocsa stacker doors we were able to produce door panels that were 2.5m wide and 2.7m high with only a 19mm vertical interlocking frame interruption when closed – when open, the panels disappear entirely past the openings, leaving a massive uninterrupted indoor/outdoor experience.
-
The interior’s star attraction – amongst a constellation of other wow factors. With the stacker doors open and the balconies becoming part of the extended interior/outdoor experience, the whole area is designed to be fully enclosed or opened (depending on weather and event type) with the use of concealed automated clear roller shutters, which still allow full light to fill the space while protecting from wind and rain – these shutters also lock the interior off from the elements when the space is not in use.
- Another part of the indoor/outdoor experience in the kitchen area is the automated island bench flap for additional seating that can only be activated while the stacker doors are in the open position through laser technology.
- The island bench also has multiple concealed charging for handheld devices.
- Two illuminated steel porthole widow seat sanctuaries have been punched outward and cantilevered through the structure of the house – they are upholstered and contain concealed lighting.
- Concealed storage behind artificial green wall.
- The lower floor also has a six-sleeper bunk room, powder room, large bathroom and laundry.
- The upper floor consists of three fully ensuited master suites and a private mezzanine for the children to hide away and watch television, play games of just chill.
- The centrepiece of the guest house is the made-on location, illuminated steel and curved acrylic spiral staircase with perforated steel mesh treads that leads up to the perforated steel mesh catwalk and to the suites and mezzanine – the design of the mesh allows for any excess sand to be removed before entering the bedrooms while allowing a non-slip finish that also adds to the adventure and a visual spaciousness – for durability, all steelwork has been coated with marine grade polyurethane.
-
Even the kitchen island has an edgy aesthetic. Walls throughout the guest house are either black penny tiles (extensively) or painted VJ panelling – with a few features of artificial green wall and custom designed mural wall coverings also part of the mix.
- Flooring throughout is commercial, timber-look vinyl floor planking for ease of maintenance and durability to combat the harsh environment, pets and multiple visitors.
- The exploration and experimentation with custom and feature lighting is obvious throughout the residence – along with Fibaro smart home automation for ease of use, the lighting has been designed to maximise the users’ experience in every way – making it an exciting, yet practical part of the journey.
- Technology – this dwelling is completely off grid and fully selfsufficient – the solar panels and batteries run extensive air conditioning units, water pumps and irrigation, along with the extensive lighting and entertainment in the home – it has Starlink technology and the whole premises (as mentioned) is controlled by Fibaro smart automation.
- The ground level consists of multiple car parking facilities, parking for off road vehicles and toys including all the watercraft – it also has ample storage and games facilities.
Conclusion
This home is more than just a guest residence – it is an immersive architectural narrative.
It invites its occupants into a dramatic play of structure and nature, of light and shadow, of rugged durability and refined luxury.
Every detail – from the extensive internal gardens, the recessed stacker doors to the illuminated porthole nooks; from the self-closing shutters to the mesh stair that sheds sand – is composed to heighten the feeling of exploration in comfort.
For a remote island setting, this design balances drama and restraint, infrastructure and imagination, adventurous spirit and operational feasibility.
It offers a ’boutique hotel’ experience reimagined at a domestic scale – where each suite has identity and presence, and communal life flows seamlessly into the wild.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
Credit List
Interior designerMark Gacesa, Ultraspace | BuilderJohn Cardillo Building Services |
Kitchen designerMark Gacesa, Ultraspace | Kitchen manufacturerStreamline Cabinets |
LandscapeMark Gacesa, Ultraspace | CladdingUnseam |
RoofColorbond | Window/door joineryAWS / custom |
FlooringKarndean | Bathroom tilesPenny Tiles – Ultraspace |
WallpaperCustom – Ultraspace | Feature light fittingsVarious / custom – Ultraspace |
Control systemsUltraspace | Living area furniture / dining table & chairsUltraspace |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Winner |
Concept / theme
The owners wanted a fun, modern boutique-hotel aesthetic with a robust industrial jungle theme.
The design was to feel adventurous, lush, immersive, and luxurious – combining rugged natural environment, industrial elements, and playful features.
Goals & objectives
- To design a new internal structure plan re-using and adapting an existing structural footprint, based on a steel portal frame engineered for high wind / cyclone resilience.
- Each suite to be uniquely themed, ensuited, with illuminated name plaques.
- To include a bunk room that sleeps six – designed to be playful, safe, comfortable, and exciting – with full multiple charging facilities.
- To integrate and blur the boundary between inside and outside – maximising relationships with the natural environment (views, vegetation, daylight, breezes).
- To use materials, forms, light, texture, and structure in ways that reflect both the industrial and jungle elements: steel / impervious finishes / robust construction, combined with lush planting / natural looking faux timber / organic forms.
-
Living – hard to believe this is a lock-and-leave guest residence. To deliver an ultra-low maintenance, high durability design able to withstand remote conditions (salt spray, storms, corrosion, limited servicing).
- Able to be fully closed down and locked off for when the facilities are not in use.
Site context & constraints
- Remote island – logistics for materials, transport, labour will be more challenging.
- Climate – tropical, can be hot, humid, with potential storms, salt air / sea spray.
- Vegetation – existing native flora, potential for wildlife, desire to preserve / integrate landscape.
- Views, topography – views to ocean, vegetation, possibly uneven terrain; orientation for wind / sun / shade was critical.
- Utilities – on-site systems for power generation, water supply, wastewater treatment – sustainability was vital.
Design solutions and features
- Distance between structural portal vertical beams was 5m – the living space had potential to open up to 5m in one direction and 10m in the adjacent direction – with the use of Vitrocsa stacker doors we were able to produce door panels that were 2.5m wide and 2.7m high with only a 19mm vertical interlocking frame interruption when closed – when open, the panels disappear entirely past the openings, leaving a massive uninterrupted indoor/outdoor experience.
-
The interior’s star attraction – amongst a constellation of other wow factors. With the stacker doors open and the balconies becoming part of the extended interior/outdoor experience, the whole area is designed to be fully enclosed or opened (depending on weather and event type) with the use of concealed automated clear roller shutters, which still allow full light to fill the space while protecting from wind and rain – these shutters also lock the interior off from the elements when the space is not in use.
- Another part of the indoor/outdoor experience in the kitchen area is the automated island bench flap for additional seating that can only be activated while the stacker doors are in the open position through laser technology.
- The island bench also has multiple concealed charging for handheld devices.
- Two illuminated steel porthole widow seat sanctuaries have been punched outward and cantilevered through the structure of the house – they are upholstered and contain concealed lighting.
- Concealed storage behind artificial green wall.
- The lower floor also has a six-sleeper bunk room, powder room, large bathroom and laundry.
- The upper floor consists of three fully ensuited master suites and a private mezzanine for the children to hide away and watch television, play games of just chill.
- The centrepiece of the guest house is the made-on location, illuminated steel and curved acrylic spiral staircase with perforated steel mesh treads that leads up to the perforated steel mesh catwalk and to the suites and mezzanine – the design of the mesh allows for any excess sand to be removed before entering the bedrooms while allowing a non-slip finish that also adds to the adventure and a visual spaciousness – for durability, all steelwork has been coated with marine grade polyurethane.
-
Even the kitchen island has an edgy aesthetic. Walls throughout the guest house are either black penny tiles (extensively) or painted VJ panelling – with a few features of artificial green wall and custom designed mural wall coverings also part of the mix.
- Flooring throughout is commercial, timber-look vinyl floor planking for ease of maintenance and durability to combat the harsh environment, pets and multiple visitors.
- The exploration and experimentation with custom and feature lighting is obvious throughout the residence – along with Fibaro smart home automation for ease of use, the lighting has been designed to maximise the users’ experience in every way – making it an exciting, yet practical part of the journey.
- Technology – this dwelling is completely off grid and fully selfsufficient – the solar panels and batteries run extensive air conditioning units, water pumps and irrigation, along with the extensive lighting and entertainment in the home – it has Starlink technology and the whole premises (as mentioned) is controlled by Fibaro smart automation.
- The ground level consists of multiple car parking facilities, parking for off road vehicles and toys including all the watercraft – it also has ample storage and games facilities.
Conclusion
This home is more than just a guest residence – it is an immersive architectural narrative.
It invites its occupants into a dramatic play of structure and nature, of light and shadow, of rugged durability and refined luxury.
Every detail – from the extensive internal gardens, the recessed stacker doors to the illuminated porthole nooks; from the self-closing shutters to the mesh stair that sheds sand – is composed to heighten the feeling of exploration in comfort.
For a remote island setting, this design balances drama and restraint, infrastructure and imagination, adventurous spirit and operational feasibility.
It offers a ’boutique hotel’ experience reimagined at a domestic scale – where each suite has identity and presence, and communal life flows seamlessly into the wild.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
[clean_tags]
Credit List
Interior designerMark Gacesa, Ultraspace | BuilderJohn Cardillo Building Services |
Kitchen designerMark Gacesa, Ultraspace | Kitchen manufacturerStreamline Cabinets |
LandscapeMark Gacesa, Ultraspace | CladdingUnseam |
RoofColorbond | Window/door joineryAWS / custom |
FlooringKarndean | Bathroom tilesPenny Tiles – Ultraspace |
WallpaperCustom – Ultraspace | Feature light fittingsVarious / custom – Ultraspace |
Control systemsUltraspace | Living area furniture / dining table & chairsUltraspace |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Winner |
Related Articles
Desert Oasis
The entire residence features high-end technological functionality supplied and installed by HP Media Group
Long sighted
Giant windows frame broad sea views in this fanned out, highly sustainable home constructed using precast insulated concrete panels – solar power and water recycling are just two green moves of many in this planet-friendly design
Mood magic
In this living room, the ambience can be completely transformed with DimSlim cove lighting from Lighthouse Lighting
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box Studio isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.
Frontier Pools
We specialise in bespoke concrete swimming pool design and construction.
From infinity-edge showpieces to compact plunge pools in tight city spaces, we create concrete pools in any shape, size, or finish. The possibilities are endless and the quality is uncompromising.
With an expert in-house team, we manage every step, from concept to completion, delivering high-quality pools tailored to your space, style, and lifestyle.
Altus Window Systems
Altus is a leading New Zealand manufacturer and exporter of innovative designs in aluminium extrusions and extrusion-based building systems.
Altus is an award winning leader of the Aluminium extrusion and rolled product market. We specialise in design, manufacture, import and export of extrusion and rolled product, and distribute to both local and International markets.
We’re experts in creating solutions to integrate and partner with our customers across a wide range of sectors; marine, transport, architectural systems, window and door fabrication, mechanical engineering and agricultural industries.
Luxaflex®
Luxaflex® has been adding style and sophistication to New Zealand windows since the 1950s. Our design heritage is founded on innovation for today and tomorrow while taking care to celebrate the beauty in the details. To us, form and function are synonymous. Consistently pushing the boundaries, we are proud to be the market-leaders in daylight regulation and solar heat control solutions.
We combine unique design and practical features to create outstanding products – the essential ingredients for creating any discerning home.
Plantation Bamboo
Building or renovating your home? You want materials that are durable, sustainable and beautiful enough to enjoy every day.
Plantation Bamboo makes it easier to discover the possibilities of bamboo for your home. From warm, natural flooring and durable decking to exterior cladding, joinery and interior panels, bamboo can bring strength, character and a considered finish to a wide range of spaces.
As New Zealand bamboo specialists, we offer carefully selected products for homeowners looking for materials that combine natural beauty with long-lasting performance.
Explore bamboo for your next project with Plantation Bamboo.
Registered Master Landscapers
With a commitment to craftsmanship, professionalism, and integrity, Registered Master Landscapers members represent some of New Zealand’s leading landscape design, build, and maintenance specialists.
Since 1985, the association has promoted quality trade practices and recognised excellence across the landscaping industry, with members assessed on the standard of their work and business practices.
From beautifully designed outdoor living spaces to large-scale landscape transformations, this portfolio showcases projects that reflect creativity, technical expertise, environmental awareness, and a dedication to delivering exceptional results for New Zealand homeowners and communities.
Hot Springs Spas
Kiwis are naturally drawn to the water. After all, we are completely surrounded by the ocean on all sides. There is something about the relaxing lull and healing properties of water immersion that we can't seem to get enough of. It is why spa pools have become such a backyard staple for many Kiwis over the last 40 years.
Spa pools are not only a place to soak away the stresses of the day but also a way to connect with nature, family and friends and to spend quality time far away from modern day distractions.
Kiwis by nature have a desire for high quality product which is why Hot Spring® spas are relenting in delivering those quality spa pool products to New Zealand and beyond.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box Studio isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.
Frontier Pools
We specialise in bespoke concrete swimming pool design and construction.
From infinity-edge showpieces to compact plunge pools in tight city spaces, we create concrete pools in any shape, size, or finish. The possibilities are endless and the quality is uncompromising.
With an expert in-house team, we manage every step, from concept to completion, delivering high-quality pools tailored to your space, style, and lifestyle.