Inside the Worlds Most Secret Home That Honours Nature and Simplicity (House Tour)

Inspired by structures found near New Zealand’s Southern Alps, The Shepherd’s Hut is the worlds most secret home. The minimalist house – designed by Fearon Hay in collaboration with interior designer Paul Kennedy – sits comfortably in the landscape while offering a flexible set of interiors.

Settled on the Wānaka lakefront, the worlds most secret home is often in the path of cold wind crossing from Makarora. “When there are storms, you can feel very alone, but with the warmth of the fires, my two dogs rugged up with sheepskin, you essentially become a shepherd,” says Matt Chapman, custodian of the property. “When we created the home, I didn't want too much space for an abundance of possessions. I’d reached a point in my life where minimalism and simplicity were the ways I wanted to exist.” While maintaining a minimalist focus, the design brief for the project proposed a spatially flexible home that enables new experiences.

“When we encountered the site, it was an opportunity to build a structure with length,” says Tim Hay, architect at Fearon Hay. “We liked the idea of a very simple silhouette … we wanted the building to have a sense of retreat and integration with the landscape.” Echoing the simplicity of the form is a restrained material palette including coated metal, timber, concrete and wool. The pared-back structure and materiality allow focus to remain on the powerful experience of the site, which changes according to the seasons.

In the worlds most secret home, spaces are enclosed by retractable walls and decorated with modular furniture. Though the architecture is dynamic, the floor plan clearly delineates six built modules including, at each end of the home, a minimalist bedroom accompanied by a bathroom and living room. To declutter the sleeping areas, Fearon Hay ensures that the living rooms contain generous storage. These rooms then lead to a central living space, lounge and double-sided kitchen. Outside the worlds most secret home, there are structures dedicated to washing, linen and more storage. There is also a bunk room, above which is a timber deck with a view of Lake Wānaka.

A sense of playfulness is fostered throughout the worlds most secret home. In addition to the retractable walls and double-sided kitchen, the bunk room is designed to indicate childlike joy and effortless connection. “The fabric is all very colourful, which brings in the element of surprise when you get here,” says Kennedy. “They're reminiscent of the sunrise here that you get and the sunset, so they're all colours that you do see when you're in this property.” The design also responds to the mess that an active outdoor lifestyle can bring. “You should be able to feel relaxed when you come in here, put your feet up,” says Kennedy. “If you've been out hiking all day, you're not afraid to bring in a bit of dirt, a bit of mud.”

Capturing the essence of a modern day shepherd’s hut, the home champions a simple, joyous way of living. By adapting architecture and orchestrating spaces, Fearon Hay creates a residence to which residents can retreat and live in harmony with the landscape.

00:00 - Introduction to the World’s Most Secret Home
01:07 - Behind the Design and Name
02:31 - The Arrival Sequence
02:58 - A Playful and Relaxed Brief
04:29 - The Floor Plan and Layout
06:25 - The Interior Material Palette
07:59 - The Exterior Material Palette
08:48 - Proud Moments

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Photography by Sam Hartnett.
Architecture by Fearon Hay.
Interior design Paul Kennedy and Fearon Hay.
Build by CDL Building.
Landscape design by Baxter Design.
Structural engineering by Sullivan Hall.
Civil engineering by Hadley Consultants
Joinery by Leading Edge Joinery Specialists
Ceramics by Rachel Carter Ceramics.
Filmed and edited by The Local Production.
Production by The Local Production.

Location: Wānaka, New Zealand

The Local Project acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa New Zealand. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.

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