Graeme Jacobs of Jacobs Architects isn’t just an architect, he’s a lifelong mountaineer, a member of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, and someone deeply connected to the New Zealand backcountry. So, when the Backcountry Trust needed an architect to replace a failing alpine hut deep in the Lewis Pass area, Graeme was the perfect choice.
While his day-to-day work focuses on high-performance residential design – creating warm, airtight homes that approach Passive House standards – this project combined both his deep technical skills and his love of the outdoors. The result was Brass Monkey Hut, a modern, resilient tramping hut built in one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking alpine settings.
To help bring the vision to life, Graeme partnered with NK Windows to supply high-performance uPVC windows that could handle the harsh alpine conditions. With their proven thermal efficiency and robust construction, the windows played a key role in creating a warm, dry, and reliable space -no matter the weather outside.
A Better Backcountry Experience
The original hut had become uninhabitable in an unfortunate case of good intentions gone wrong. In an attempt to improve the existing space, someone had lined the walls with plywood. These modifications trapped moisture inside the walls, leading to serious mould growth. What had once been a basic but functional shelter became a serious health hazard, eventually forcing the Department of Conservation to close it.
Graeme knew that this new build had to do more. It had to be dry, warm, and reliable. It had to welcome tired trampers after a long hike and hold up to harsh alpine conditions, all while showcasing the incredible wild beauty around it.
Design Challenges and Considerations
Building in the backcountry is never simple. The site is remote, the weather is unpredictable, and everything must be flown in by helicopter. The hut was prefabricated offsite as panelised sections to make transport and assembly faster and safer. The design had to consider not just aesthetics and function, but logistics – weight limits for helicopters, what a team of builders could lift, and how everything could be assembled without machinery.
Wind was another big player. With strong gusts from both north and south, the building was narrowed to reduce exposure. Windows weren’t just punched in for light—they were part of a system. Designed to harness cross-ventilation and stack effect, the windows help regulate air flow, reduce condensation, and make sure even a cold, off-grid hut can feel warm and dry.
Warm Windows for Wild Places
When it came time to choose the windows for this project, Graeme knew what he needed: performance. With no heating source and a real need to avoid moisture problems, the windows had to do the heavy lifting in keeping the interior warm and condensation-free.
NK Windows’ uPVC windows with Metro performance glass ticked every box. With minimal thermal bridging, airtight seals, and multi-point locking systems, they offered the energy efficiency and durability this alpine build demanded.
The anthracite-coloured frames also looked stunning against the scoria cladding—a small but satisfying detail that helped the hut settle visually into the landscape.
Installation was made simpler thanks to the monobloc frame design. In Graeme’s words, “It just reverts your whole window install back to a standard New Zealand head flashing—it’s really, really simple.”
What Made It Meaningful: Passion, People, and Place
What truly set this project apart wasn’t just the technical challenge or the breathtaking location, it was the sense of purpose behind it.
It was a gift to the public, made possible by a generous bequest from someone who simply wanted to give back to the outdoors. That generosity lives on in Brass Monkey Hut, a place anyone will be able to experience—so long as they’re willing to make the journey into the heart of the mountains.
The hut is now owned, managed, and operated by the Backcountry Trust, ensuring it will continue to serve trampers and outdoor lovers for generations to come.
“Being part of the Brass Monkey Hut project was something really special for us. Many of our team are outdoorsy by nature—trampers, hunters, mountain bikers—so this wasn’t just another job. It was a chance to contribute to a space we could imagine ourselves using, and that makes it deeply meaningful. It was a unique build in a tough environment, and we’re incredibly proud our windows could help create a warm, dry, and lasting haven for fellow Kiwis exploring the backcountry.”
— Martin Ball | Director, NK Windows
And for Graeme, it was about more than just good design. “These things don’t happen without a team,” he said. From engineers and builders to window suppliers, everyone brought their best. The project became a shared vision, driven by people who genuinely cared about creating something that would last.
A special thanks must go to the build team, who lived and worked on site in tough alpine conditions to bring the hut to life: Matt Hewat, Shaun Jeffery, , Ryan Hart, Sam Dowd and Oli Jacobs.
Their skill, grit, and teamwork were instrumental in making the hut what it is today.
It’s a hut, yes. But it’s also a symbol of what’s possible when great design, premium materials, and a deep love of the outdoors come together.
