Skip To Main Content
Issue 65 - The 'Bespoke' Issue

Issue 65

The 'Bespoke' Issue

With Guest Editor Yasmine Ghoniem, we are launched headfirst into the world of unique and eclectic design. From architecture to interiors, there is nothing that can’t be enlivened with bespoke interventions. Granted, a stunningly beautiful home can be made by simply shopping for the best, but when the artist’s hand is introduced, some pure magic is possible. Whether it is an artwork or a new upholstery, a built-in component or a mosaic inlay, these gestures, whether bold or subtle, are what make the home unique.

Order Issue

A Product of

Stargazing in the mountains
HomesHabitusliving Editor

Stargazing in the mountains

New Zealand

Habitus House of the Year 2025 Nominee

Design

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


Related Projects
Issue 65 - The 'Bespoke' Issue

Issue 65

The 'Bespoke' Issue

With Guest Editor Yasmine Ghoniem, we are launched headfirst into the world of unique and eclectic design. From architecture to interiors, there is nothing that can’t be enlivened with bespoke interventions. Granted, a stunningly beautiful home can be made by simply shopping for the best, but when the artist’s hand is introduced, some pure magic is possible. Whether it is an artwork or a new upholstery, a built-in component or a mosaic inlay, these gestures, whether bold or subtle, are what make the home unique.

Order Issue