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Bespoke architectural design studio based in Queenstown with a focus on Passive House design!

06/09/2026

The Eyrie is in this week’s Mountain Scene (page 5).
https://digital.scene.co.nz/html5/default.aspx

It was lovely to chat with Guy Williams following The Eyrie’s two recent honours at the ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards and to have the opportunity to talk a little more about the thinking behind the house.

One part of the article that particularly resonates with me is describing The Eyrie as a “quiet” house - one that doesn't attempt to dominate its surroundings.

That was very deliberate. The site is extraordinary, perched high above Lake Whakatipu with huge alpine views, so the architecture didn't need to shout. Instead, I wanted the house to sit lightly on the land and create a calm backdrop to the landscape and to everyday life.

The article also touches on something that was important from the beginning: The Eyrie was designed as a speculative home for builder-developers Harry Nichol and Sam Baylis. For me, the project became an opportunity to demonstrate that thoughtful, people-centred design can coexist with commercial viability and that a spec home can still prioritise comfort, performance, longevity and a genuine sense of place.

Thank you to Guy and the Mountain Scene for the feature, and once again to Harry and Sam for being such great clients and collaborators.

You can find the story in this week’s Mountain Scene - page 5, out now around Queenstown.

04/09/2026

A pretty special night, made much more fun by having some of my favourite people there to celebrate it with me. ❤️

The Eyrie received two awards at the 2026 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards for Otago & Southland in Dunedin:

🏆 Highly Commended - Home Interiors
🏆 Commended - New Home 150–300m²

I'm especially proud that the project was recognised in both categories. I never thought of the architecture and interiors as separate things - the experience of moving through the house, the changing light, framed views, material palette and connection to the landscape were all conceived together.

The judges described The Eyrie as combining “spatial clarity, environmental performance, and careful craftsmanship” and praised an interior that is beautiful while remaining respectful of the landscape around it.

A big thank you to Harry Nichol and Sam Baylis, who commissioned The Eyrie as a speculative home and were both the clients and the builder-developers behind it. It was a genuinely collaborative project and an opportunity to demonstrate that thoughtful, people-centred design and commercial viability don't have to be opposing ideas.

And a very big thank you to the girls who travelled to Dunedin with me. Winning something is pretty lovely. Having your friends there when it happens is even better.

04/02/2026

Very excited to share that The Eyrie has been published in abode magazine (January 2026).

Perched above Queenstown, this home sits in an extraordinary location — but from the beginning, the goal was never to let the view do all the work. The focus was on creating a grounded, calm and energy-efficient home that feels comfortable to live in every day, while still responding to the drama of the site.

It was a collaborative and carefully considered process, and I’m proud of how the architecture balances warmth, restraint and performance. Huge thanks to Nichol Developments and the wider project team — and yes, Pepper approves 🐾

You can pick up a copy at Paper Plus, or read the article online here:
https://www.abodemagazine.co.nz/home/2025/12/18/the-high-life

13/01/2026

I love how this Christmas market comes together through layers - a snapshot form my visit to Germany a few weeks ago...

A historic church tower in the background, old houses to the side, and bare tree branches stretching across the view — leafless in winter, yet transformed by illuminated stars and festive lights. Against the historic backdrop, these temporary elements create warmth, depth and a sense of gathering.

It’s a gentle reminder that architecture is shaped not only by buildings, but by season, light and how people inhabit a place. Even subtle interventions can completely change how a space is felt.

This thinking sits at the heart of my work — creating spaces that are responsive, atmospheric and deeply connected to place.

03/10/2025

✨ Introducing The Perch ✨

Perched above the turquoise waters of Bob’s Cove and nestled within native bush — pittosporums, five-finger, beech and marble leaf — this home grows from the same land where its Kiwi owners first lived in a tiny house. Their dream was simple: to create a permanent home that treads lightly, preserves the forest around it, and opens to both the intimacy of the canopy and the vastness of the lake.

Elevated on piles, The Perch sits gently among the trees, framing ever-shifting views to the bay, the Picnic Point lookout, and the jetty below.

We’re excited to begin shaping this home, where forest, lake, and sky will all play a part in the daily rhythm of life. 🌿🏔️💧

Follow along as The Perch comes to life.

29/09/2025

At The Eyrie, light is an architectural material in itself.

Custom timber screens filter light and views across the interior & exterior, casting dappled shadows that shift with the day. These layered thresholds blur the boundary between inside and out — offering privacy without closing off the view.

25/09/2025

🏔️✨ New Beginnings in Tekapo

A new project begins — and what a backdrop to start from.

Our site sign now stands proudly above the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, with the Southern Alps stretching out behind. It’s early days, but the vision is clear: a special family bach, designed to hold memories and keep the connection to Aotearoa strong for generations to come.

Grateful for the trust — can’t wait to bring this one to life.

23/09/2025

🦜✨ Nestor Cabin Update: The Shape Takes Flight!

The frames are up, and Nestor Cabin is starting to take shape — bold, bright, and full of character just like the kea that inspired it.

From sketch to structure, you can now see the cabin’s playful form emerge amid the lush bush of Bob’s Cove. It’s not just a studio, it’s a vibrant little retreat ready to come alive with energy and colour.

Stay tuned as this spirited cabin continues to rise!

18/09/2025

The interiors of The Eyrie are grounded, warm, and intentionally quiet.

Dark walnut Abodo timber ceilings pair with matching oak flooring, tying overhead and underfoot in a continuous gesture that anchors the home to its alpine setting. Between them, a sculpted plaster fireplace provides a central focus, while stone benchtops and soft beige tiles reflect the natural tones of the Queenstown landscape — earth, rock, and light.

This restrained, tonal palette creates a calm interior stage — allowing the dramatic lake and mountain views to take the spotlight.

Minimalism here is not about absence — but balance, texture, and belonging.

15/09/2025

Introducing The Eyrie — a light-footed alpine retreat perched above Lake Wakatipu.

Resting gently on steel posts, the home sits lightly on Queenstown Hill, preserving the slope beneath. From its elevated position, it opens to wide cinematic views of the lake and The Remarkables, yet remains quietly embedded in the landscape.

Clad in enduring metal and softened with timber at the human scale, The Eyrie was designed not to dominate, but to observe — a modern lookout shaped by light, weather, and restraint.

Address

Queenstown

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.cf-architecture.co.nz/

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