ECHOES ACROSS ANTIPODES

HM of New Zealand Nature Retreat: Antipodes Island

+ HONOURABLE MENTION

New Zealand Nature Retreat: Antipodes Island

[19821]

ECHOES ACROSS ANTIPODES, inhabiting the edge

Team

Name: DooJin HWANG

Instagram: djha_official 

Nationality: Korean 

Institution / Company: DooJin Hwang Architects

Name: Anais LOQUET

Instagram: djha_official 

Nationality: French

Institution / Company:  DooJin Hwang Architects

Name: Junghoon LEE

Instagram: djha_official 

Nationality: Korean

Institution / Company: DooJin Hwang Architects

---

Antipodes Island, shaped by extremes and contrasts, gives rise to a project built on dualities — between North and South, togetherness and isolation, shelter and reflection. Two “echoes” respond to the singular nature of this remote land.

To the North, anchored in volcanic rock, the main Dome emerges as a translucent, inhabitable shell. At 250m², it is both a refuge and living system — a place of collective effort and adaptability. Its open interior is structured by a floor grid inspired by botanical quadrat, where essential functions (work/shower/kitchen/sleeping/restroom) are treated as distinct modules. Rainwater is stored beneath the raised floor, and a dense field of solar panels powers the structure. Prefabricated composite slabs allow for efficient assembly. Indoor gardens sustain daily life, transforming the dome into a self-sufficient habitat.

To the South, discreet across the rugged landscape, the Bubble, a minimal inflatable pavilion offers a quiet and favorable space for introspection. Set near the site of a 19th-century shipwreck, it is the paroxysms reflect for solitude and contemplation.

More than a shelter, the project inhabits the edge — a fragile balance drawn from the very oppositions that shape Antipodes Island.

---

---

Jury Comments

– Monique Wong

This design proposal beautifully embodies the contrasts of Antipodes Island, creating a harmonious interplay between shelter and reflection. The design also reflect the resilience of the landcsape which emphasize the adaptability to the surrounding environment.

– Federica Fogazzi

Characterized by a sophisticated duality, this proposal interprets the brief through a lens of both strength and sensitivity. While the spatial organization is defined by a rigorous, disciplined plan, the expression remains ethereal and delicate.

– Maria Vittoria Delli Carri

Charming narrative.