11.03.2020

Sustainable Eco-timber Showcase Launches in Cardrona

On Saturday 7 March Abodo launched its first South Island development in the heart of mountain country

Abodo’s showcase Cardrona Cabin has been carefully crafted to demonstrate how New Zealand local alternatives for imported old-growth cedar can withstand Central Otago’s harsh alpine climate.

Reflecting the historic nature of Cardrona township, the cabin’s simple gable form is a contemporary interpretation of rural huts and sheds found scattered across the region.

The 102-square-metre show cabin, designed by award-winning Arrowtown-based Assembly Architects and built by Wanaka-based Dunlop Builders took about eight months to complete.

Stage two of the development, a series of stand-alone visitor chalets, is planned to start later in the year, with resource consent to be lodged within the next two months.

Dunlop Builders managing director Bryce Dunlop says the team that built the show cabin had extensive experience in using exposed timber, leading to an “impressive” end result.

“We really enjoyed working with Abodo timber. It’s different to other timbers, it’s a lot drier, which makes it good to work with as you don’t get any shrinkage, so everything remains very tight and doesn’t move.

“The wood is great to use, we like it, it’s sustainable and we know it’s sourced from New Zealand. You just can’t get that sustainability aspect in other local timber so hopefully anyone building a home in the area will consider using it.”

Abodo Wood director Daniel Gudsell says the modified pine timber was designed from the outset to suit alpine conditions so the decision to invest in the region was a no-brainer.

“We created this showcase to demonstrate how New Zealand plantation-grown timbers perform in the challenging ‘hot one day, cold the next’ environment such as the Cardona Valley.

“No longer can we use slow grown, imported timbers to build premium homes and structures in our country. This building is a showcase of what can be achieved when we think differently.”

Abodo’s Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified Vulcan Cladding has been used as exposed structure, while the stylish and striking exterior is clad entirely in Vulcan Screening in Sioo:x finish.

Vulcan Panelling is used in the interior, as is end grain douglas fir in the loft flooring, and charred Vulcan battens on the charred road sign.

Vulcan timber is created from thermally modified New Zealand plantation timber to achieve exceptional weatherability and durability, using heat and steam instead of toxic preservative chemicals.

Assembly Architects stayed true to the property of the material while creating a high-performance thermal envelope to keep occupants toasty-warm.

The cabin is open by appointment, contact Abodo for more information.

Read more about this project here.

Beautifully designed by Assembly Architects⁣

Fantastic craftsmanship by Dunlop Builders ⁣⁣

Project photography by Simon Devitt ⁣⁣

Recent news

Vulcan Cladding Vertical Grain Standard Series by Abodo

COMING SOON / New Addition to the Vulcan Timber Cladding Range

Delivering the high level of quality expected from Vulcan timber, this extension to the Vulcan Cladding range will bring even more flexibility to your residential projects.

Read more
Abodo Wood Sustainable Timbers 01

ANNOUNCING / Our Giveaway Winner from Design Show Australia

Abodo was proud to be part of the first New Zealand Pavilion at Design Show Australia, with visitors to our stand going in the draw for a Cardrona Cabin Stay.

Read more
Glenalmond Timber Distributor Abodo Wood 01

DISTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT / Glenalmond Timber, Scotland

Glenalmond Timber is a family-run business that has been supplying timber products throughout the UK since 1988.

Read more
Abodos Cardrona Cabin the chapel to craft wins NZIA Small Projects Architecture Award Abodo Wood

A Chance to Win a Stay at Abodo’s Cardrona Cabin

Visit Abodo’s stand at Design Show Australia to be in to win a two night stay at the Cardrona Cabin in New Zealand.

Read more

Just checking you’re heading to the right place

Make sure you get the right information about our carefully crafted timber products by visiting your local Abodo website.