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Issue 64 - The 'Future' Issue

Issue 64

The 'Future' Issue

Habitus #64 Welcome to the HABITUS ‘Future’ and ‘Habitus House of the Year’ Issue. We are thrilled to have interior designer of excellence, Brahman Perera, as Guest Editor and to celebrate his Sri Lankan heritage through an interview with Palinda Kannangara and his extraordinary Ek Onkar project – divine! Thinking about the future, we look at the technology shaping our approach to sustainability and the ways traditional materials are enjoying a new-found place in the spotlight. Profiles on Yvonne Todd, Amy Lawrance, and Kallie Blauhorn are rounded out with projects from Studio ZAWA, SJB, Spirit Level, STUDIOLIVE, Park + Associates and a Lake House made in just 40 days by the wonderful Wutopia Lab, plus the short list for the Habitus House of the Year!

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Stargazing in the mountains
HomesHabitusliving Editor

Stargazing in the mountains

New Zealand

Habitus House of the Year 2025 Nominee

Architecture

Strutt Studios

Photography

Mickey Ross

Located on New Zealand’s South Island, Scout by Strutt Studios’ is a mountain retreat filled with idiosyncratic moments of delight and an earthy material palette.


Description provided by designers.

Nestled in the alpine beauty of Wānaka, Scout is a meticulously designed retreat that harmonises with its stunning surroundings. This 175-square-metre home reimagines traditional alpine architecture with a contemporary edge. Positioned to capture uninterrupted views of Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps, Scout integrates seamlessly into its landscape, offering a sense of permanence and connection.

The design draws inspiration from the rich hues of Central Otago, with a palette of earthy browns, iron reds, and mushroom greys that shift with the changing light. Inside, the home balances bold materiality with thoughtful craftsmanship – polished concrete, walnut toned joinery, and handmade tiles create a tactile, immersive experience.

Highlights include a sunken living room with a frameless picture window, a tiled dining banquette that enhances sightlines, and an outdoor bathtub perfectly placed to embrace the alpine views. A large skylight above the master bed invites stargazing, while a layered lighting scheme enhances the home’s warmth and intimacy.

Scout embodies Strutt Studios‘ ethos of intentional design, where every detail serves to celebrate its setting. This is more than a home – it’s an invitation to pause, reconnect, and experience the beauty of place.

Related: A harbour home of light and colour


About the Author

Habitusliving Editor

Tags

alpine retreatArchitectureContemporaryearthy materialshabitus house of the year 2025homeHome ArchitectureHOTY 2025HOTY 2025 NomineeHouse Architecture


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Issue 64 - The 'Future' Issue

Issue 64

The 'Future' Issue

Habitus #64 Welcome to the HABITUS ‘Future’ and ‘Habitus House of the Year’ Issue. We are thrilled to have interior designer of excellence, Brahman Perera, as Guest Editor and to celebrate his Sri Lankan heritage through an interview with Palinda Kannangara and his extraordinary Ek Onkar project – divine! Thinking about the future, we look at the technology shaping our approach to sustainability and the ways traditional materials are enjoying a new-found place in the spotlight. Profiles on Yvonne Todd, Amy Lawrance, and Kallie Blauhorn are rounded out with projects from Studio ZAWA, SJB, Spirit Level, STUDIOLIVE, Park + Associates and a Lake House made in just 40 days by the wonderful Wutopia Lab, plus the short list for the Habitus House of the Year!

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