Behind The Lense

Growing up surrounded by the incredible landscapes of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, like many, I have always been excited about their pristine beauty. However, in recent years I have come to experience these landscapes as more than just visually stunning backdrops. They are living, breathing entities, each with their own unique stories. I've developed a profound appreciation for the depth and complexity of these places. Ever increasingly becoming more passionate about uncovering their hidden histories, exploring the narratives woven into their fabric, and understanding the ways in which people have shaped these landscapes over time.

Imagination

My journey has led me to a deep desire to dive into the depths of our collective past, and to share the treasures I unearth with others, while also imagining the future of our landscapes; as places that can continue to go beyond just static scenes to be admired from afar. I envision people, landscape, and architecture as inseparable elements, each contributing to a unified whole rather than one dominating over the other. Unearth expresses this vision, merging my passion for photography with my pursuit of architecture. It serves as a platform where I seek to not only explore, but also celebrate the natural beauty and imagine the architectural potential within Aotearoa’s lands.

The Name

The name ‘unearth’ came from a similar approach to that of the band called ‘Unearth.’ The name was coined by drummer Mike Rudberg as he wanted the band to 'Unearth' a new sound in the metal and hardcore world. Like the band's mission to 'Unearth' a new sound, I embark on a journey to reimagine how we perceive and interact with our landscapes.

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After a long day in the sun climbing up Sealy Range we arrived at our shelter for the night, Mueller Hut. Perched high up above Meuller Glacier and in the shadow of the impressive Mt Sefton we were stoked to spend the night in such a beautiful place. A relaxing night consisting of plenty of cups of teas, monopoly deal, watching the sunset above Hooker Lake, and stargazing on the deck in our sleeping bags before spending the night in a full bunkroom with several snorers and strong winds rattling the hut.

The current Mueller Hut (2003) is the fifth edition of the structure, currently sitting a few hundred meters above many of the passed huts which were destroyed by extreme weather conditions and avalanches. The hut is named after the Mueller Glacier which itself was named after Ferdinand von Mueller, a prominent German-Australian botanist and explorer. The first 1914 hut supported researchers exploring the surrounding peaks and glaciers, while today it has become one of the most popular huts in the country for hikers, mountaineers, and ski tourers.

Aoraki Mt Cook 1/3

Of all the places I’ve explored, it wasn’t until recently that I finally made it to Aoraki Mt Cook. It’s a place I know will never get old to visit, with endless opportunities to explore the unique landscapes surrounding this special Maunga. On a late-May trip, the goal was to climb to Mueller Hut, and it didn’t disappoint. A bluebird Saturday morning set the scene for exploring the icebergs of Tasman Lake at sunrise, followed by time in the history-rich Mt Cook Visitor Centre. And, of course, no trip would be complete without fueling up for the climb with a venison pie from the Hermitage Hotel Café. #mtcook #muellerhut #tasmanlake #aotearoa

Waters of Ōkare

A wet short walk into Hidden Falls Hut along the Hollyford Track for the night resulted in less camera work and more fast footsteps. When the rain departed over night the much drier walk back to the car along with flowing creeks meant more shots could be captured. Swamp Creek falls was just a short detour off the trail, however, did include wading through the flowing chilling rapids then onto a slippery stuck tree trunk to get the shot.

Ōkare also known as Whakatipu-ka-tuku are the traditional names for the Hollyford Valley and River that flows from Kā Tiritiri-o-te-moana (the Southern Alps) through Whakatipu Waitai/Ōkare (Lake McKerrow) and out to Whakatipu Waitai (Martins Bay). The first Māori people to arrive in the area explored it for food and resources. A tribe settled at Martins Bay where these goods as well as the prized pounamu from the area were transported along these trails to southern and eastern areas for trade.

Since these early days, the arrival of Europeans has had a major impact on this landscape, even Captain James Cook passed through these lands, admired by the wild coastline and forest. These landscapes have seen a range of people from sealers, whalers, gold prospectors, and even cattle farmers – famously Hugh and Malcolm Mckenzie herded their stock 250km to the Mossburn saleyards over a month.

In 1930 the trail began its modern life as the Hollyford Track when Davey Gunn, a local farmer began guiding guests through the valley as part of his cattle musters. Once the Valley became part of the Fiordland National Park in 1959, farming virtually had to come to and end. This led to a number of people of the years investing into the trail including its huts and lodges, airstrips, and water transport across Lake McKerrow. Today the trail is still very popular for both guided and independent hikers, it has also become part of likely New Zealand’s most popular packrafting trip which includes the Pyke River as a looped adventure (A trip I have hopes to do soon).

Upper Christie Falls

The lower section of Christie Falls can be easily viewed from the Milford Sound Highway, however, above is a spectacular waterfall amongst the dense Fiordland bush. Much like many waterfalls I capture, this was not easy to photograph due to the intense spray off the falls. The waterfall is located within a bowl-like space formed by a vertical wall to the right of the images and dense forest to the left and behind. Along with the rugged terrain beneath and extremely slippery rocks closer to the falls made it more challenging yet highly rewarding.

These falls have been named after the noted New Zealand civil engineer and mountaineer John Hellard Christie. Born and educated in Wellington he first served two years on active service in the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force. At the end of his service, he made a large tour of Europe before heading home to study at the School of Engineering at Canterbury College where he joined the Public Works Department. He is known for his work on major New Zealand public works such as the Waitaki hydro dam and the Homer Tunnel, located just 9km North West of the falls. Alongside this work he was hugely passionate about climbing, tramping, exploration, hut building, rescue work, and mountain history. In 1931, he also led the first traverse of the mountains between Lake Hauroko and Dusky Sound.

Moturau

Captured in the early hours from the shores of Moturau these images expresses the wild environment and conditions the Fiordland region can throw at you. While setting a beautiful experience to wake up to, its was clear that the later hours of the day would not continue to be as pleasant. After a late-night walk into Moturau Hut the night prior after work, it was a quick stay before heading back to the car to spend the rest of the weekend in the Milford and Hollyford areas.

Moturau is the correct Māori name for Lake Manapōuri. The name Manapōuri has been incorrectly used to name the entire lake, it is in fact the name for the Shallow Bay at the eastern section of the lake. “The name Moturau is sometimes said to have been given by the northern rangatira Tamatea, who travelled through the area with his travelling party after their waka, Takitimu, capsized at Te Waewae Bay. Moturau is possibly also named after a daughter of Rakapatere, or may even refer to the many islands that existed in the lake.” (Ngāi Tahu Kā Huru Manu Atlas).

The lake was carved out thousands of years ago by glaciers leaving it to be Aotearoa New Zealand’s second deepest lake at 444m deep. The lake is fed by the Waiau River from the northeast with the natural outlet for the lake at the southeastern end next to the small township of Manapouri. The lake features a total of 33 islands and four arms. In the West Arm of the lake is the Manapouri Dam – the largest hydro power in the country – which diverts water 10km underground to deep cove.

24/24 Blurring Boundaries

Conclusion
Blurring Boundaries began by identifying a disconnect between people and landscape, stemming from viewing landscape as a passive visual entity rather than an active, living experience. This thesis reimagines the relationship between people and landscape, using architecture as a mediating force. Through theoretical unpacking, place analysis, and the design of a scout camp, the project explores architecture’s ability to reshape perspectives and support deeper engagement, belonging, and connection to place.

Focusing on outdoor youth education, the project highlights the importance of providing opportunities for younger generations to engage with their environment. The Under Pikirakatahi Scout Camp creates sensory, participatory experiences, allowing youth to uncover stories embedded in the landscape.

Design outcomes align with the thesis’s goals: moving beyond scenic imagery to uncover the landscape’s complexities, nurturing belonging through bodily and emotional experience, and inspiring active participation. Architectural moments - such as framed views, treehouse towers, and communal spaces shaped by the land - blur boundaries between people and landscape.

Architecture acts as a “silent curriculum,” guiding activity and perception without explicit instruction. It educates through sensory and spatial experience - inviting reflection, connection, and interaction. Particularly for youth, these spaces become places for education and growth, promoting a connection with the land that is both personal and significant, creating memories that last far longer than the time spent within the architecture.

This thesis proposes a more immersive, participatory, and reciprocal relationship - one that inspires respect for the environment, fosters cultural and emotional ties, and empowers people, especially youth, to become active stewards of the world they inhabit. Through such reimagined connections, we can begin to reimagine a future where people and landscapes connect symbiotically, each contributing to the potential of the other.

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Acknowledgements.

As I come toward the end of this 24-post series, I want to include my acknowledgements excerpt from my thesis. This research was supported and inspired by a significant number of people to whom I am deeply thankful, for everyone who has influenced my journey - both directly and indirectly. Thank you all for your assistance, whether in the form of guidance, encouragement, or helping me enjoy the year beyond the demands of study; each of you has impacted this project, and I am truly thankful.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my love and appreciation to my family. In particular, Mum and Dad, you have always been a constant source of support throughout my entire educational journey. And to all my extended family, I appreciate your support and love, especially your encouragement. Thank you!

I want to acknowledge my supervisors, Tobias and Sarah, for their expertise, understanding, and motivation. Your encouragement has been key for me as it has helped me think critically, push boundaries, and enjoy the process. Thank you!

To my classmates, Hunter, Mila, and Georgia, thank you for being such inspiring peers. Working alongside you has helped me immensely, and your ideas and support will have a lasting impact. Thank you!

A huge thank you to my friends who have kept me in control and helped me live a balanced life outside of study. Your friendship, laughter, and patience were much appreciated. Thank You!

Lastly, enormous thanks to my loyal buddy, Kuihi. No matter how late I came home from the studio you were always excited to see me, providing a calm presence that made the stresses a lot less daunting. Thank you!

Whether with two or four legs, this thesis is as much a reflection of your influence as it is my own work, and I am genuinely thankful for each of you.

22/24 Blurring Boundaries

Models
Model making has always been my favourite part of the design process. There’s something incredibly satisfying about stepping away from the screen, getting hands-on, and watching ideas take shape in physical form. After many long days (and late nights) of laser cutting, sanding, and glueing, three key models were presented as part of my final presentation - each showcasing a different scale and story of the project. Together, these models helped explore the blurring of boundaries between architecture, journey, and landscape - each one a physical translation of the ideas that drive the project.

Model 1 – The Journey
A 1:100,000 CNC-cut contour model traces the journeys to the top of Lake Whakatipu Waimāori. Crafted from laminated plywood with resin poured for the lake, this model explores the scout camp as part of a broader narrative of movement through landscape. It sets the tone for the camp as an experience of discovery, orientation, and immersion in place.

Model 2 – Two Pavilions Building
At 1:100 scale, this model focuses on the Two Pavilions building. Taking 11 long days to complete, it includes a contour base layered in plywood and a carefully detailed structure using a range of materials such as basswood, thin plywood, acrylic, and even repurposed rubbish bin mesh. It’s a tactile and technical representation of the building’s form, structure, and connection to the landscape

Model 3 – The Tower
This 1:50 model represents the four-level treehouse tower. Set atop a piece of schist collected from the riverbed at the site, the base grounds the structure in its geological context. The model includes a magnetically attached façade that can be opened to reveal the structure, showcasing the spatial experience and how play, movement, and reflection are layered within.

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Growing with the Forest
Beyond their primary role as structures for activity and growth, the five treehouse towers are also embedded within the site’s wider reforestation strategy. Just as Scouts grow through stages of challenge and reflection, so too does the surrounding native forest begin its slow return -regenerating alongside the human experience. As the trees grow taller and denser, the towers will gradually be surrounded by the forest canopy, their timber skin weathering and blending further into the bush. This symbiotic response reinforces the metaphor of growth, where both people and place are transformed through time and care.

The history of deforestation in Aotearoa New Zealand is profound. Once cloaked almost entirely in forest, the land has been dramatically altered since the arrival of both Māori and Europeans. Fire, farming, and milling have reduced native forest cover to just a fraction of its original extent. This loss has deeply impacted biodiversity, water systems, and the stability of the land itself. Reforestation, then, becomes more than an ecological response - it’s a cultural and educational act. By engaging in the forest’s regrowth, Scouts learn firsthand about restoration and responsibility. The towers offer a front-row seat to this process, acting as scaffolds not just for human development, but for ecological response.

This integration of built form and growing forest directly embodies the central aim of the thesis: to blur the boundary between architecture and landscape. Here, architecture is not imposing on the land, but a collaborator in its regeneration. The towers are designed to adapt and respond over time - nestling into the forest as it grows, rather than resisting it. As the native bush thickens and canopy rises, the structures will slowly recede from prominence, becoming quieter, softer presences in the landscape. In this way, they transition from being bold markers of activity to subtle scaffolds for ecological and personal growth.

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Behind The Lense

Imagination

The Name

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@un.earthh

@Copyright un-earth 2025

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Behind The Lense

Imagination

The Name

Follow UN.earth. on Instagram

@un.earthh

​

@Copyright un-earth 2025

Print Info

Payment and Delivery

Contact