Hapuku lodge alterations
Complete Projects provided architectural design and construction support services for the alteration and refurbishment of the main hospitality spaces at Hapuku Lodge + Treehouses, one of Kaikōura’s premier luxury accommodation destinations.
The project involved the transformation of the existing guest lounge into a new restaurant, designing a cocktail bar and open kitchen experience designed to elevate both the operational functionality of the lodge and the overall guest experience. Additional works included upgrades to back-of-house areas, food preparation and dishwashing spaces, and the construction of a new glazed walkway connection linking key hospitality areas within the lodge.
Working closely with the client from the early concept stage, Complete Projects guided the project through the full design and building consent process, coordinating structural engineering, fire engineering, and HVAC consultant inputs while also assisting contractors and the client with planning, programme coordination, and consent-related requirements throughout construction.
A major challenge of the project was the highly compressed delivery timeframe. Hapuku Lodge temporarily ceased operations specifically to allow the works to be undertaken, with construction required to be completed within a strict four-month programme ahead of confirmed guest bookings and reopening commitments. Careful sequencing, proactive consultant coordination, and practical construction planning were essential to ensuring the programme could be achieved without compromising quality or operational outcomes.
The final design carefully balances contemporary hospitality functionality with the refined and relaxed character of the existing lodge environment. Open cooking areas create stronger engagement between guests and hospitality staff, while the cocktail bar and upgraded dining spaces provide a more immersive and premium guest experience. The glazed walkway connection enhances circulation and strengthens the cohesion between the various hospitality spaces throughout the lodge.
Throughout the project, Complete Projects acted as a trusted advisor to the client – coordinating the wider consultant and contractor team while assisting with practical delivery strategies to support efficient construction within the limited shutdown period.
This project demonstrates Complete Projects’ ability to deliver complex hospitality alterations requiring careful stakeholder coordination, programme management, and design integration within premium commercial environments.
