Douglas Works
BirdhouseMangatarata, New Zealand2022
Birdhouse is a meditative retreat designed for Earth Energies NZ Sanctuary in Mangatarata, New Zealand—a folly of inward focus and quiet connection with nature. Inspired by the elemental clarity of a birdhouse, the cabin embodies simplicity, harmony, and mindfulness in form. A chimney and central lightwell anchor the interior, filling it with calm, luminous space for reflection.

Sustainability drives every choice: locally sourced radiata pine timber, charred wood cladding, and galvanized corrugated roofing provide durability with minimal ecological impact. A pier-and-column foundation touches the land lightly, preserving native ecosystems while ensuring ease of construction. On the south wall, operable translucent panels—facing the indirect light unique to the southern hemisphere—open and close like wings, blurring thresholds and deepening the dialogue between inside and out.

Both playful and contemplative, Birdhouse is a study in restraint, offering a model of architecture rooted in ecological respect, spiritual grounding, and renewal through simplicity.

Client: Competition Entry
Program: Retail 
Area: 33 m² / 350 sf
Status: Shortlisted
Services: Architecture

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