High above Lake Wānaka, where the land begins to rise toward the Southern Alps, sits a home designed not to dominate, but to dwell. Scout is a 175-square-metre Wānaka alpine retreat created by Strutt Studios in collaboration with Intuitive Architects, and built by Owens Building. Its form — three gabled volumes clad in soft-green corrugated steel — blends effortlessly into the terrain, a quiet echo of the region’s agricultural vernacular.
Named 2025 Interior of the Year by Home Magazine and featured by The Local Project, Scout has captured the attention of the design world for its immersive materiality, connection to landscape, and emotional clarity. But beyond the accolades lies a story of close collaboration — and a shared belief in the power of well-resolved design.
Designed by Sophie Bowers of Strutt Studios, Scout reimagines the traditional alpine hut with a grounded, contemporary sensibility. Rather than impose itself on the landscape, the home moves with it — its forms following function, light, and aspect.
Interiors are wrapped in a bold but considered choice: Oriented Strand Board (OSB). A material rarely celebrated in high-end residential work, OSB was selected not for its polish, but for its texture. Custom-finished in a desaturated polyurethane blend to soften its natural warmth, the panels lend the home a warm, quiet tactility — their subtle grain catching light in unexpected ways.
Sophie describes the design process as organic but precise. The aim wasn’t to build something showy or overly finished, but something emotionally resonant — a space that changes with the day, encourages pause, and reflects the muted hues of Central Otago’s unique landscape.
The interiors are striking — not because of what they say, but because of what they allow. Light falls gently across polished concrete floors, handmade Japanese tiles, tumbled brass fixtures, and custom cabinetry in walnut and matte black finishes. Together, these elements create a layered, sensory atmosphere — one that doesn’t shout for attention but rewards your presence.
A frameless, one-tonne picture window in the sunken living room opens the house to its surroundings, perfectly framing the Southern Alps without interruption. In the main suite, a large skylight invites slow stargazing. These architectural moves, while visually bold, serve a singular purpose: to create meaningful moments of stillness.
Scout is a home designed for slow living. The material palette shifts with the light. Sightlines open and collapse gently. Every surface invites touch. And across the entire home, there’s a rhythm — not one of symmetry or precision, but of human scale and lived experience.
It’s within this finely tuned environment that OBJKT Joinery was invited to contribute. Our role wasn’t to define the space, but to help complete it — crafting bespoke joinery that would integrate seamlessly into the home’s atmosphere.
From walnut-toned bedroom cabinetry to custom storage in transitional spaces, and subtle joinery elements throughout the kitchen, every piece was built to feel as though it had always been there. The intention was never to stand out — but to settle in.
“Scout is a beautiful example of what happens when design is both personal and grounded. For us, it wasn’t about pushing the boundaries. It was about working with care, so that the joinery felt effortless — part of the architecture, not competing with it.”
— Wayne Moss, Director, OBJKT
Scout is a home that knows itself. That self-assurance extended to the collaborative process behind the build, where every contributor understood their role in supporting — not overpowering — the broader vision.
For OBJKT, the opportunity was never about technical showmanship. It was about nuance. The kind of project where bespoke joinery isn’t just about storage or finish — it’s about rhythm, tone, and alignment. Seamless cabinetry in bedrooms, detailed storage in transition spaces, and a grounded kitchen fitout all worked in concert to enhance the home’s material story.
“It was such a pleasure to collaborate with OBJKT. Their craftsmanship was a huge part of what gives Scout its charm — we’ve been singing their praises in every awards submission since.”
— Sophie Bowers, Director, Strutt Studios
This sense of shared intention — of trusting the integrity of each contributor — is part of what gives Scout its quiet confidence. Every gesture is restrained. Every detail, resolved.
Scout isn’t just aesthetically cohesive — it’s deeply livable. That’s where thoughtful joinery makes a lasting impact. When cabinetry opens cleanly. When bench seats invite pause. When storage tucks away life’s essentials without interrupting the flow of space.
These are the moments that matter most over time. They’re not design flourishes. They’re the architecture of living well.
Our work at OBJKT is designed for homes that evolve — homes like Scout. Nothing too precious. Nothing overwrought. Just solid, grounded joinery that gets better with age.
This reflects our broader ethos: restraint, integrity, and precision, delivered in service of the architecture — not in competition with it. Whether it’s a multi-room fitout or a single moment of custom detail, that’s the standard we set.
Since its completion, Scout has received widespread recognition for its thoughtful approach to interior design. Named Interior of the Year 2025 by Home Magazine, it was praised for its emotional resonance and material clarity — a space where every element is “treated like a small jewel.”
The judges’ citation highlighted Scout’s ability to create atmosphere through restraint — a rare feat in an industry often focused on visual impact. It’s a home that rewards presence, not just admiration.
The project has also been featured by The Local Project, where its use of natural materials, layered lighting, and immersive detailing were described as “an experience of immersion.” From the frameless picture window to the smallest joinery detail, Scout invites its occupants to slow down and reconnect — not only with nature, but with the spaces they inhabit.
OBJKT is proud to have contributed to a project with such staying power — not only in design media, but in the lived experience of the people who spend time within its walls.
At OBJKT, that’s the kind of work we strive for. Bespoke joinery that’s not just well made, but well placed. Crafted to belong. Designed to endure. Built for the long view.
This Wānaka alpine retreat has become one of New Zealand’s most talked-about homes not because of loud moves, but because of quiet clarity. We’re grateful to have been part of that conversation.
