Neewalla, A seat at the Mountain
A seat at the mountain contemplates how an interiors project can form the backdrop for retreat and reconnection.
This project saw the communal areas of Neewalla, Australia’s second oldest Ski club, refurbished with a new kitchen, window seat, bar and library.
Underpinning the ski club’s values, are the principles of community, simplicity and crafted longevity. The project seeks to infuse these principles throughout the design, informing the broader strategy down to the material palette and details.
The project is an exercise in doing more with less – small interventions into the established communal areas compliment and further define the existing functions of the space. Seating is added to round out the living space, whilst also framing views and offering a more intimate connection to Kosciuszko National Park. In the living area an additional sideboard element conceals a small fridge and bar storage, with display shelving above elevating the club's library.
The most substantial work was to the kitchen area, where a few key moves were made to rationalise and widen the kitchen space, allowing for a central dual island bench. These moves in turn helped to open the twin kitchen to the surrounding communal spaces. The design for the kitchen placed an emphasis on ease of use and access - everything you need is readily available, in an intuitive location. Storage is streamlined, with corners and end conditions forming opportunities for display.
The material palette pairs robust with soft, infused with warmth and layered with references to the surrounding environment and history of the lodge. In the kitchen, stainless steel benchtops sit alongside granite inlays, set against a backdrop of brushbox timber veneer. The spotted gum v-grooved timber half height wall draws reference to the club’s original kitchen. The kitchen reveals moments of an alpine blue that punctuate the warmer tones throughout. Grey upholstery running the length of the bench seat ties in tonally with the natural stone.
A seat at the Mountain was completed as part of a broader masterplan of works to the club. The project considers and makes space for future changes to take place.