A true destination dining experience, Sugarloaf at Flockhill is a feast for the senses – and an inspiration in engineered timber design 

Nestled in the heart of the Canterbury High Country, Flockhill is a luxury accommodation offering set on a sprawling 36,000-acre working sheep station amidst the majestic alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps.  

Hierarchy Group were engaged to design the accommodation consisting of seven villas, a spa facility and Flockhill’s restaurant, Sugarloaf. The architecture is both distinctive and sensitive, harmonising with the existing station buildings and natural environment to deliver a unique and memorable guest experience.

The vision for Sugarloaf was to create a world-class dining destination that remained deeply rooted in Flockhill’s and New Zealand’s farming heritage. The brief called for a ‘homely’ atmosphere delivered at a commercial scale, with a sense of grandeur that felt grounded in place.

Hierarchy Group brought this vision to life through a series of considered choices, including the selection of Prolam Glulam Visual Beams. 

Working closely with structural engineers Ruamoko Solutions, the design team selected Prolam Visual Glulam Beams to meet the structural and aesthetic needs of the project. More than 200 PL8 H3.2 Visual Beams – in sizes 240 x 42 and 270 x 88, and lengths up to 13.2 metres – were manufactured and supplied for Sugarloaf. These engineered timber elements form exposed rafters and trusses that bring a sense of strength, warmth and refinement to the interiors. The beams also offer durability and dimensional stability – key in an alpine environment subject to temperature extremes. This structural performance made them a practical alternative to solid timber, which was ruled out due to cost.

Despite its scale, Sugarloaf is deliberately understated – designed to frame, not compete with, the surrounding landscape. The architecture draws inspiration from the limestone formations of the valley, significant to Ngāi Tahu, and incorporates natural materials like timber and stone to anchor the building in place. Sustainable design principles are woven throughout with a focus on environmental responsibility and the health and wellbeing of guests – from the materials selected to the use of low-toxicity, Red List Free finishes.

More than just a building, Sugarloaf is an experience cultivated with great care and attention to detail: a place where structure, story and setting converge.

Sugarloaf was honoured with two awards at the 2025 Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects Local Architecture Award for the Canterbury Region – winning in both the Hospitality and Interior Architecture categories.

“The Prolam team were always helpful and responsive… The feedback on Sugarloaf has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly the craftmanship and the level of detail throughout the whole project. Each element works in harmony.”
-  Wen Ting, Associate / Senior Architectural Technician, Hierarchy Group

Images courtesy of Lightforge Photography