“Extrusions” is a design led by the language of the land.

Located on the slopes of Mt. Karioi, an extinct, 2.8-million-year-old stratovolcano that dominates this landscape, the genius loci of this site is palpable from the moment you arrive. Lashed by the relentless winds from the wild Tasman Sea, and surrounded by hills hosting wind-sheared Kanuka, this place is unforgiving, yet exhilarating.

Just as this land was created by extrusions of lava, we seek to connect this site to its story via a set of new extrusion types.

Extrusions are introduced in the form of rammed earth walls erupting from the land in different locations and configurations, representing the fault lines present in the Earth’s crust.

Extrusions in the form of mature native specimen trees are located strategically to frame views and provide respite from the relentless wind.

Extrusions established in the form of rocks and re-cycled hardwood power poles with pulleys, large logs that provide a “playground” space for the owner – structures and components that can be used in flexible ways and invented by him. 

Extrusions included as planted re-cycled water troughs; part of the new ‘farming’ layer laid upon this land.

All these moves connect this site and its occupants to the wider creative forces that formed the landscape.

 

What an absolute honour to have the opportunity of working on this unique project!