Refined design on tap at Mountain View Retreat

In Wānaka, Mountain View Retreat by Johnston Architects is designed to be as enjoyable to live in as it is to look at. Every element has been carefully considered not just for its aesthetic contribution, but for how it supports daily use and comfort. This is especially true in the kitchen, one of the most highly used spaces in the home, where functionality and design are equally resolved. 

Tucked just beyond the main kitchen, the butler’s pantry is designed as a secondary zone for preparation and service. It is here that Zenith Water’s HydroTap Elite Plus in a matte black finish was specified, integrated alongside a mixer tap to create a dedicated drinking station. 

"The HydroTap was chosen for its balance of aesthetics and functionality," shares Johnston Architects' Matt Jeffery. "Its minimalist design integrates seamlessly within the home, while delivering instant boiling, chilled, and sparkling water."

In a project like this, the HydroTap Elite Plus allows the homeowners to enjoy a seamless experience within their home, whether they’re entertaining guests or enjoying quiet time.

"It also helps keeps the scullery (and kitchen) uncluttered by removing the need for multiple separate kitchen appliances, and is located for convenient daily use while supporting entertaining with multiple drinks prepared quickly and efficiently," shares Jeffery.

Its appeal lies not only in convenience but in the clarity of its design language. With its angular form, the Elite Plus presents a more modern interpretation of Zenith’s classic tapware, aligning with the architectural expression of the retreat. The matte black finish (chosen from a range of premium finishes, including brushed gold, brushed nickel, and gunmetal) reinforces this relationship, sitting comfortably within a moody palette that favours depth and tactility.

“The Elite Plus has a more defined, architectural profile,” Zenith Water's Mariannel Azarcon explains. “It suits homes where the detailing is intentional and contemporary, rather than decorative.”

Functionally, the butler’s pantry configuration allows the HydroTap to operate as a distinct zone for hydration and beverage preparation, while the adjacent mixer tap maintains the practical demands of washing and cleaning. This separation introduces an ease of movement within the space, particularly when entertaining or preparing meals.

“It can be used as a secondary tap alongside a mixer, or as a standalone water station,” says Azarcon. “In a butler’s pantry, it often becomes a dedicated point for drinks, which helps streamline how the kitchen operates overall.”

Beneath the surface, the system is supported by Zenith’s HydroTap command centre, discreetly housed under the bench. As the operational core of the tap, it manages the delivery of boiling, chilled and sparkling water with a focus on both performance and sustainability.

Recent refinements have introduced a more energy-conscious approach, including the use of R290 refrigerant gas, significantly reducing global warming potential compared to previous systems.

“The command centre is effectively the brains of the HydroTap,” Azarcon says. “With the latest updates, we’ve improved ventilation and energy efficiency so it performs consistently while reducing environmental impact.”

This attention to performance extends to water quality. The system incorporates Zenith’s MicroPurity 8-in-1 filtration, designed to address a wide range of contaminants, from chlorine and sediment through to microplastics and PFAS. In a home where materiality and craftsmanship are held to a high standard, the quality of water is an equally considered element.

“There is a growing awareness around what’s in our drinking water,” Azarcon says. “Our filtration removes up to 99.4 per cent of PFAS, along with other common contaminants, so homeowners can feel confident about the water they’re consuming every day.”

What distinguishes the integration of the HydroTap at Mountain View Retreat is not the presence of advanced technology alone, but the way it is embedded into the architecture. It supports the high-level performance and aesthetic of the home, while offering immediacy and a sense of ease. The result is a home where performance is felt rather than seen, and where even the simple act of pouring a glass of water is considered and resolved.

Explore HydroTaps from Zenith Water