Nestled within a secluded mandarin orchard down Black Swamp Road, just minutes from Tara Iti and Te Arai Beach, sits a luxury glamping retreat complete with an architecturally designed bathroom and outdoor kitchen.

The owner's brief was simple: “Can you build me a tent?”

What followed was one of the most unique and rewarding projects we have delivered. A bespoke safari-style glamping lodge designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape while offering all the comforts of luxury accommodation.

The completed lodge features a safari tent wrapped in expansive kwila decking, floating timber stairs, an outdoor sink area, and direct access to a luxurious standalone bathroom. Nearby, a custom outdoor kitchen creates the perfect setting for alfresco dining overlooking the lake. Designed to comfortably sleep four people, the glamping lodge sits on ground screws with a treated and sealed plywood floor system. Inside, the 49sqm tent includes a bespoke timber kitchen, handcrafted macrocarpa benchtop, full power supply, and carefully considered storage and living spaces. An additional 15sqm covered awning provides sheltered outdoor living, creating plenty of room for families to relax and unwind. Surrounded by orchard views, open paddocks, and a firepit area, the retreat feels worlds away despite being only minutes from Mangawhai Village.

The bathroom block embraces a rustic exterior with a timber rain screen façade and outdoor shower. Internally, the entire space is lined in raw birch plywood, sealed multiple times to provide durability, moisture protection, and a warm natural aesthetic. Italian handcrafted tiles form the shower space, complemented by antique brass and copper tapware throughout. Stone vanity bowls sit on a floating custom American ash vanity, while a composting toilet completes the off grid design. Aluminium shutters allow natural light and orchard breezes to flow through the space, while a large skylight above the shower frames views of the towering pine trees overhead and floods the room with natural light.

A short walk through the orchard and fields leads to the outdoor kitchen pavilion, positioned on a glade overlooking a private lake. Continuing the project’s timber and black material palette, the structure features a strong board and batten exterior with a treated plywood lined interior, all set atop  kwila decking. Pelmet outdoor blinds allow the kitchen to be fully enclosed from the elements or opened entirely to the deck and louvre covered dining area. Pebbled courtyards and planter boxes provide additional entertaining space and fresh herbs ready for cooking. At the centre of the kitchen sits an authentic stone pizza oven, paired with a marine-grade plywood kitchen designed to withstand the outdoor environment and a stainless-steel bench for practical outdoor clean-up. 

This project was an absolute pleasure to build and remains one of the most fun, challenging, and distinctive builds we have completed for a returning client.

Build & Project Management by Elite Building
Designed by Chris Fraser of Habitus Mode