• Whare Kea - Architectural photography of Whare Kea Chalet at Albert Burn Saddle near Wānaka, on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park. Photography by Ben Ruffell.

    Architectural photography of Whare Kea Chalet at Albert Burn Saddle near Wānaka, on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park. Photography by Ben Ruffell.

  • Whare Kea - Photograph of the Kea alpine parrot for which the Whare Kea mountain house was named for. Captured by Architectural Photographer Ben Ruffell.

    Photograph of the Kea alpine parrot for which the Whare Kea mountain house was named for. Captured by Architectural Photographer Ben Ruffell.

  • Whare Kea - Graphic perspective of the Whare Kea alpine hut presenting a silhouette form comparable to the snow capped mountains. Photographed by Ben Ruffell

    Graphic perspective of the Whare Kea alpine hut presenting a silhouette form comparable to the snow capped mountains. Photographed by Ben Ruffell

  • Whare Kea - Dawn photograph of Whare Kea alpine chalet captured by Architectural Photographer Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

    Dawn photograph of Whare Kea alpine chalet captured by Architectural Photographer Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

  • Whare Kea - Sun breaks over the snowy mountains while the Kea birds relax on tussock at Whare Kea Chalet photographed by Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

    Sun breaks over the snowy mountains while the Kea birds relax on tussock at Whare Kea Chalet photographed by Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

  • Whare Kea - The striking form of the mountain hut contrasts with the softness of the native tussock and the Kea birds captured by photographer Ben Ruffell.

    The striking form of the mountain hut contrasts with the softness of the native tussock and the Kea birds captured by photographer Ben Ruffell.

  • Whare Kea - The mountains are reflected in this Architectural form photographed by Ben Ruffell

    The mountains are reflected in this Architectural form photographed by Ben Ruffell

  • Whare Kea - The engineered stairs are constructed to be functional under several feet of winter snow photographed by Ben Ruffell

    The engineered stairs are constructed to be functional under several feet of winter snow photographed by Ben Ruffell

  • Whare Kea - The interior of Whare Kea provides a functional warm space from which to view Mount Aspiring photographs by Ben Ruffell Architectural Photographer

    The interior of Whare Kea provides a functional warm space from which to view Mount Aspiring photographs by Ben Ruffell Architectural Photographer

  • Whare Kea - Whare Kea Chalet photographed by Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

    Whare Kea Chalet photographed by Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

  • Whare Kea - The roof form of the Whare Kea Chalet photographed by Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

    The roof form of the Whare Kea Chalet photographed by Ben Ruffell near Wanaka.

  • Whare Kea - Whare Kea Chalet nestled against Mount Aspiring photographed by Architectural Photographer Ben Ruffell

    Whare Kea Chalet nestled against Mount Aspiring photographed by Architectural Photographer Ben Ruffell

Whare Kea

Architectural Photography in New Zealand’s Southern Alps

Architectural Photography in Aspiring National Park – Whare Kea Chalet

Whare Kea is a remote alpine chalet located within Mount Aspiring National Park, accessible only by helicopter and designed for complete immersion in the Southern Alps landscape. This architectural photography project focused on capturing the relationship between the elevated structure, dramatic mountain setting, and the refined interior spaces designed for off-grid luxury living.

The imagery was created for architectural marketing and publication, including feature use in Small Holiday Houses by Catherine Foster (Penguin Books), showcasing both the technical design and the experiential quality of this unique high-country retreat.