Fiji Private Island
Nanau-i-Cake is an island off the northern coast of Fiji's main island Viti Levu the island boasts an interesting history, remaining in the same family since 1974 when Sir Harold Mitchell visited from the United Kingdom and purchased the freehold islands as an idyllic retreat. Sir Harold held the position of Vice-Chairman of the Party under Sir Winston Churchill during the war.
Within an area of 600 acres, this private property comprises a four bedroom house along with an additional two Fijian guest 'bure' bedroom suites, a library, large open plan living/dining room, BBQ/dining area, laundry and swimming pool.
Ron Seeto and Murray Cockburn were invited to extend and enhance living arrangements to an existing house on the island.The client requirements included the physical addition of 2 guest –rooms, a study and a swimming pool and the adoption of an appropriate design layout and aesthetic for this tropical island setting. There was also a desire to use traditional thatch roofing for the guest accomodation.
The opportunity to incorporate authenticity and appropriateness in our design resonated well with our architectural philosophy.
Within an area of 600 acres, this private property comprises a four bedroom house along with an additional two Fijian guest 'bure' bedroom suites, a library, large open plan living/dining room, BBQ/dining area, laundry and swimming pool.
Ron Seeto and Murray Cockburn were invited to extend and enhance living arrangements to an existing house on the island.The client requirements included the physical addition of 2 guest –rooms, a study and a swimming pool and the adoption of an appropriate design layout and aesthetic for this tropical island setting. There was also a desire to use traditional thatch roofing for the guest accomodation.
The opportunity to incorporate authenticity and appropriateness in our design resonated well with our architectural philosophy.
The addition became a series of stand-alone pavilions strung along a meandering path following the ridge from the existing house.Solid plastered masonry block walls painted white and punctuated by timber louvred openings is superimposed by a timber framed roof structure overhanging the supporting walls providing the essential shade and shelter required in the tropics. Cedar shingles matching the existing house was used on the Library pavilion whilst the Guest Pavilions became a contemporary interpretation of the traditional chiefly Fijian Bure with an authentic deep thatch roof supported by a robust roof structure dressed in traditional exclusively Fijian coconut fibre sinnet rope or "magimagi" and a ceiling with traditional beaten bark tapa cloth or " masi" especially imported from Tonga for its colour.
The property is well established with access tracks and roads to its five beaches, staff quarters, horse and sheep paddocks, generators, satellite and telecommunication facilities, a fresh water supply and 300,000 gallons of water storage, and a 110 metre jetty.
A helicopter pad just meters from the main dwellings ensures easy access to and from Nadi airport - just 35 minutes away.
The property is well established with access tracks and roads to its five beaches, staff quarters, horse and sheep paddocks, generators, satellite and telecommunication facilities, a fresh water supply and 300,000 gallons of water storage, and a 110 metre jetty.
A helicopter pad just meters from the main dwellings ensures easy access to and from Nadi airport - just 35 minutes away.