Department of Conservation’s Kōhanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut has been rebuilt.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) has rebuilt Kōhanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut and this new hut is now open to the public. We are thrilled to be the architectural team for another DoC Hut as we truly appreciate our 25-year relationship with the department.

The first version of this popular West Coast tramping hut was built 40 years ago in honour of Phillip Nicholls and Brian and Sharon Manson. Because of its popularity and prime location on Lake Daniell, the new 20-bunk hut was designed to accommodate school groups, families and first experience trampers.

Ron, the project architect, has designed a sustainable hut that will support accessibility needs in the future. The Lake Daniell track is gradually being upgraded and DoC is expecting more people from the accessibility community to use the facility. Features that accommodate a wider range of people include a boardwalk connecting the toilets to the hut, level access and lower heights of bunks and benches.

Located in the Lewis Pass National Reserve, the back-country hut is designed to be off-the-grid with facilities including a wood burner, rain collection tanks, solar lighting and compostable toilets. Orientation to the sun and view, good insulation, double glazing, a large deck, communal cooking and dining space provide visitors with a warm, dry place to spend the night and from which to enjoy a back-country experience.