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Last Resort was purpose built to enable visitors to the Karamea area to enjoy the huge potential of its natural attractions. Last Resort has also proved to be a unique place to escape the burden of stress-filled living.
Last Resort was designed during an escape into the Heaphy Track, which enabled us to keep the buildings in tune with our natural surroundings and give the feeling of environmental awareness for your stay in Karamea.
As much of the wood as possible was salvaged from the forest floor in the previously milled rainforest surrounding Karamea. The timber was milled using an Alaskan chain mill and breast bench, driven by a tractor. The design uses post and beam construction with the concrete panels providing the total bracing of the structure. A combination of native woods are used in the building – Rimu, Totara, Matai, Kahikatea, Miro, Rata, Yellow Pine, and Australian Jarra hardwood from the old Karamea bridge. The solid Rimu beams are 400 X 400 mm and the largest of these is the 14m long beam in the lounge area. Beams this size were necessary to support the weight of the turf roof.
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The 480 cement panels were fabricated during the process of milling the wood. One panel was poured each day for 15 months using two moulds. The panels have a polystyrene center and weigh approximately 320kg each.
Cement for the panels was provided by Westport ’s Cape Foulwind cement works, the shingle from Granite creek, Karamea and the labour was local. The mural paintings and the stained glass widows were created by Karamea residents. The doors, furniture, and counter fittings were produced during a training course in Karamea. These combined to make the construction of Last Resort a community project.
The building used 6 tonnes of glass that have been double glazed for safety and to keep the buildings at a relatively constant temperature.
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Double glazing also eliminates condensation and the need for curtains, except for privacy. The sod roof has a number of functions, it enabled the buildings to have skylights which create a bright, open atmosphere. It eliminates almost all of the rain noise normally associated with flat tin roofs; it is also low profile and does not detract from the surrounding environment and requires virtually no maintenance. The sod is 100mm thick with a butynol underlay.
Before building could commence all the wood needed to be milled, the panels fabricated and the foundations laid. Once these were made ready, the construction of the buildings began. The complex excluding the motel units took a total of two years to build, commencing in 1989. Last Resort opened to the public in May 1991.
It soon became apparent the budget accommodation needed to be complemented by the construction of the ensuite units. These were constructed conventionally in tune with the existing buildings and were built during the winter of 1992.
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