I have just had acceptance from the Backcountry Trust of my fee proposal for the new hut to replace the Brass Monkey Biv on the Lewis Pass Top.
It would be an underestimate to say I'm excited.
I have done some probono work with BCT on repair projects at Arthur's Pass. This is my first paying project and it is a new build.
This is an area of work I have been wanting to get into for a long time. By volunteering for BTC and heading up the huts sub-committee for the Canterbury Mountaineering Club I've earned my strips and built some relationships.
It is a privilege to get to design and build in New Zealand's magnificent landscapes and to get to do it on the DOC estate doesn't happen that often.
Aiming to PREFAB offsite manufacture in panel sizes to the capacity of the helicopter which will deliver them to site ready for onsite assembly.
This is going to take a lot of careful design, a great consultant team and skilled builders. I'm looking forward to taking what I learnt from Castle Hill Build and using it on this project. However, this project won't be in SIP.
There will be some challenging wind and snow loads plus some Kea proofing required. Our mountain parrots love to get their beaks into anything soft like sealants and gaskets and anything shiny.
Will keep you all posted as this project progresses.
I am Graeme Jacobs a Christchurch based Architect with a passion for the outdoors who loves building thoughtful, beautiful and practical buildings in New Zealands landscapes.
If you have some backcountry land and want to build a hut for eco-tourism, outdoor club or private use give me a call.
