Masterspec
15 Oct 2025
Masterspec Specified: Air New Zealand Hangar 4 by Studio Pacific Architecture
The project was designed to meet Green Star environmental standards and includes advanced cladding, roofing, and mechanical systems tailored for...
10 Oct 2025
Bridging the Gap: Empowering Better Specifications for Builders
At this year’s Constructive Conference in Auckland, we asked every delegate we spoke with: “What can we do to improve construction documentation and...
24 Sep 2025
NECO₂ – New Zealand’s Embodied Carbon Repository Goes Live
New Zealand’s construction sector has taken a major step providing New Zealand-centric carbon data with the launch of the first release of NECO₂ – the...
22 Sep 2025
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Bryndwr House One by AO Architecture
Tucked into a secluded rear site behind a mature, tree-lined driveway in leafy Bryndwr, this new family home forms one half of a pair of residences...
22 Sep 2025
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Flockhill Sugarloaf by Hierarchy Group
Nestled in the remote Craigieburn Valley of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Sugarloaf at Flockhill is more than a restaurant — it’s an architectural...
12 Sep 2025
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa by DCA Architects of Transformation
In the heart of Taupō, a landmark civic building is redefining the relationship between architecture, culture, and governance.
08 Sep 2025
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Terrace 12C by Bassett-Smith Architecture
Terrace 12C is a residential development located in Tauranga, designed to maximise site efficiency while maintaining architectural individuality. The...
08 Sep 2025
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Miller Residences by Oliver Andrew Associates
In the heart of Auckland, the Miller Residences by Oliver Andrew Associates stand as a refined example of contemporary multi-unit housing — where...
01 Apr 2025
Document Referencing and Scheduling with eCert
Our editor team has updated all Masterspec work sections which have references to environmental documents. Where environmental document references...
27 Mar 2025
Update Manager New Features
The new Update Manager features are designed to boost productivity when applying changes to updated work sections. Simplify work section updates with...
03 Mar 2025
CIL is Now Accepting Product Carbon Data for the National Embodied Carbon Data Repository for Construction.
CIL Masterspec is now accepting carbon information in the form of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) or Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) from...
06 Jan 2025
Carbon 2025 and Beyond: Building a More Sustainable Future for NZ Construction
In July 2024, Construction Information Ltd (CIL) and the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) announced a partnership to develop a...
01 Nov 2024
Introducing eCert: A Game-Changing Tool for Sustainable Construction
As the New Zealand construction industry increasingly focuses on sustainability and carbon reduction, there is a growing need for tools that can help...
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Manawa House by Cube Architecture
"Masterspec has been an indispensable tool for our project Manawa House. During the specification, Masterspec streamlined our entire specification...
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Ligar Bay Bach by Young Architects
"Masterspec was used for providing a detailed, fully customised, specification as part of our comprehensive project documentation for the Ligar Bay...
25 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Hilltop Home by Jon McAlpine Architecture
“Masterspec is a critical component in our studio. Its user-friendly platform and regular product specification updates, keep us constantly on the...
06 Aug 2024
NZ Building Code Changes: Type 1 Domestic Smoke Alarms
In Masterspec NOTES June 2024, we provided commentary around the changes to the NZ Building Code relating to domestic smoke alarms.
18 Jul 2024
New Industry Initiative to Reduce Carbon Emissions of New Zealand Buildings
A new industry-led initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of Aotearoa New Zealand’s buildings, which contribute up to 20% of the national...
04 Jul 2024
Masterspec Announces New MasterKey4 for Revit 2025 Enhancements
Streamlined Workflows and Improved Collaboration with MasterKey4. We are excited to announce the latest update to MasterKey4 for Revit 2025, designed...
04 Jun 2024
Building Code Updates 2023-2024
This month we have published amendments in response to building code updates. The 2023-24 NZBC changes were published by MBIE on the 2 November 2023,...

Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Flockhill Sugarloaf by Hierarchy Group

22 Sep 2025

Nestled in the remote Craigieburn Valley of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Sugarloaf at Flockhill is more than a restaurant — it’s an architectural experience that redefines high-country hospitality. Designed by Hierarchy Group, this award-winning project is a masterclass in restraint, elegance, and contextual sensitivity.

Sugarloaf sits on a historic sheep station, Flockhill, and was envisioned as a world-class dining destination that honours New Zealand’s farming legacy. The brief called for a space that felt homely at a commercial scale, blending grandeur with intimacy. The result is a building that feels both monumental and grounded — a place where guests are invited to connect with the land, the story, and the moment.

From the moment guests arrive at the grand porte cochère, they are guided through a sensory journey. Oversized aged copper doors open into a soaring 7-metre-high cathedral-style space, framed by timber and stone that echo the rugged beauty of the Southern Alps.

The design is deliberately restrained, allowing the landscape to take centre stage. Panoramic views are framed with precision, and the building’s verticality — expressed through timber rafters, concrete detailing, and symmetrical rhythms — reinforces a sense of permanence and calm.

Project details

Project Sugarloaf at Flockhill
Location Flock Hill Station             
Designer Chris Wheeler and Ashton Wright           
Practice Hierarchy Group
Photographer Lisa Sun Photography
Awards
  • 2025 - NZ Institute of Architects Canterbury Awards
    Hospitality Winner
  • 2025 - NZ Institute of Architects Canterbury Awards
    Interior Architecture Winner
  • 2025 - NZ Institute of Architects Canterbury Awards
    Commercial Architecture Shortlist
  • 2025 - INDE. Awards The Social Space Shortlist
  • 2025 ADNZ Regional Award for Commercial Architecture
  • 2025 ADNZ Regional Award for Commercial Interiors and Fitouts 
Source Sugarloaf at Flockhill
Masterspec Specified Badge

Message from designer

"Sugarloaf is a landmark addition to Flockhill, designed to elevate the Station into a world class destination that celebrates heritage, hospitality and tourism. The brief was to create a restaurant that reflected the owners’ vision for an immersive dining experience - deeply rooted in New Zealand’s farming heritage, with a homely atmosphere delivered at a commercial scale and a sense of grandeur.

The site brought its own challenges. The exposed alpine environment meant materials had to withstand snow, wind and extreme temperature shifts, while the remote location required buildability and clear documentation to reduce risk. The design also called for a balance of robust, low maintenance materials with refined detailing to achieve the vision.

Masterspec made it straightforward to manage these requirements. The clear, detailed specifications gave us confidence that performance expectations would be met, while keeping documentation consistent and aligned across the team. It proved invaluable on a project of this complexity, helping us keep the specification process consistent and easy to reference from design through to construction."

- Ashton Wright  Director, Hierarchy Group

 

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