Big skies and tussock drylands stretch out as far as the eye can see in Te Manahuna/Mackenzie Country. The wide-open landscape is a national treasure, recognised as the largest Dark Sky Reserve here in Aotearoa and home to many unique indigenous plants. The area is exposed to some of the highest and lowest temperatures in the country, providing a unique set of challenges when building in such a harsh environment.

Naturally, with such constraints comes an opportunity for creativity, so when Ben Simpson called on Richard Dalman, Director of Dalman Architects, to design a holiday house on his family farm here, Richard was excited about the prospect. From the get-go, “the brief from Ben was to build most of the house underground,” says Richard. “We thought that was a great approach as the earth is a great insulator, and we knew we could create a warm house, even in the coldest months of the year.”

The pair decided upon the site due to its proximity to an existing airstrip on the farm. Instead of looking out over Lake Tekapo and the township, the decision was made to take in the uninterrupted vista of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana/Southern Alps. Situated halfway up Mount John, standing in front of the house, you can catch a glimpse of the observatory on the hilltop behind. To preserve the stargazing experience, it was crucial to eliminate light-spill that could disrupt views of the night sky. “Our response was to have just one wall of windows, and we positioned them in the opposite direction,” says Richard. “When you’re up at Mount John Observatory, you can’t see the house at all.”

Earning its name, the structure of the Bunker House comes together with precast concrete panels, wedged into the hillside. An open-plan kitchen, dining and living space is flanked on both sides by bedrooms and adjoining ensuites. All three spaces open at the front through floor-to-ceiling Metro Series sliders from First Windows and Doors. At more than three metres tall, the expanse of glass gives you uninterrupted views from wherever you are in the house, be it fireside, in bed or from the bath. The ThermalHeart joinery and double glazing — in combination with the concrete — keep the home at a comfortable temperature through all seasons.

Tucked away at the rear of the roof, a row of clerestory windows allows light down into the back of the house. “This has avoided it being too cave-like,” says Richard. “The effect is quite cool, as the clerestory is very high, and you get these shafts of light coming down into the space, especially over the showers.”

A pair of circular doorways were located at the back of the living area, with future plans to connect the home to a hangar — planned alongside the existing airstrip — via an underground tunnel utilising oversized precast concrete pipes. “We had the idea of a Get Smart style door with no indication of what was on the other side,” says Richard. “On approach, a sensor would open the door and you would be right there in the house, looking out to the Alps. That was a bit of fun, so hopefully that will happen at some stage.” For now, the tunnel entrance functions as an extra bedroom for guests. Additionally, the house is also available as part of a wider accommodation offering by the Simpson family. Just 10 minutes down the road in Tekapo township, The Cairns Alpine Resort, provides a range of outdoor pursuits and luxury lodging.

There’s plenty on offer in the area for adventurous types, or you can quite happily while away a weekend wrapped up inside, watching the day go by. “Whatever architecture you insert here,” says Richard, “it’s going to get lost in the landscape.” Of course, building underground gave them the opportunity to almost disappear right into it — a testament to all the many clever design considerations undertaken.