Interesting Future Proofing is question #1 because this was my wife and I’s first question when we were conceiving a vision for our Pukeko Lane project. We have lived on the property for 25yrs so had an intimate knowledge of its potential. We have set up all the infrastructure (underground) for up to five Tiny Homes (Kowhai House is the first) including sewerage, power and water. Each site has its own 16amp fuse so if it “trips” it doesn’t affect the others. There is a generator onsite in case there is a power outage. Materials used in the build were sourced locally and are readily available. Our colour scheme throughout reflects our mission to compliment, and not compete, with the natural surroundings. We challenged ourselves to not personalise the set up, rather to choose neutral high-end fixtures and fittings, artwork or décor. This way guests in the BnB or future owners simply add their flair to the foundation we have set up thus far. I am an ex golf greenkeeper and had a passion to have no grass (no unsightly lawns and no noise) thus all the landscaped areas have the topsoil removed, and are stockpiled in the mounds, these in turn have been weed matted, mulched and planted in natives to encourage birds into the property. We now have deer venturing out of the bush and wandering through the property.

The Tiny House is 30m2 but the deck outside is 120m2 and houses the sunken firepit, stone bath and double hammock 😊. To bring the outside in we installed bifold doors at the entrance and bedroom, and bifold windows above the breakfast bar that fold back onto the exterior wall. Low hanging rope “bar lights” using low voltage bulbs for ambience are designed for the ultimate entertainer. Table seating is simultaneously inside and outside (from the same piece of macrocarpa) – genius! The subway tiles in the kitchen and bathroom are a touch of international class that provides a fresh lift from the get go. Our bespoke Sofa was custom built to fit the space, and thereby maximises the lounge space fitting in nicely between the gas fireplace and breakfast bar. We rounded the corners at each end to improve the flow past the bar, which by default means you don’t knock into it at hip level. The bedroom we felt needed to be at the end of the building to allow a separate private area, and not have foot traffic going through to the bathroom. To save on space we used cavity sliders on both the bedroom and bathroom. Having a caravan we were use to utilizing every nook and crannie, so the bathroom was fun to do. Located off the hall it was a simple design choice with a functional washing machine set below the stone bench and square sink (themed black to link into the colour scheme). The heated towel rail is a nice touch in the morning…along with the option of a rainfall shower head or hand held nozzle. We chose to install both a gas fireplace and air conditioning unit, for the simple reason our guests can choose either option or be more comfortable with one over the other from a heating perspective. However New Zealand summers can be scorchers, so dialling the temperature down at night to improve sleep made perfect sense.

I’m not a builder, so being involved with BMH Contractors who built Kowhai House off site, then finished it when it was swung into place was a real chance to see true professionals in action. They had pre built the deck and were millimetre perfect when the hiab lowered it into its final resting place. Like most builds decisions need to be made or plans adapted to accommodate the various sub contractors, it was almost seamless. The choices our team made reflect in the rave reviews and glowing remarks from our guests after over 500 booked nights! My wife and I are just evaluating the next build and are confident that there are zero changes in materials or design. Yes a change in theming to keep it fresh but that’s it 😊. The tiler did an awesome job in the kitchen and bathroom with the subway tiles, it provided an instant lift in appearance and comfort, and from a theming perspective complimented both the ceiling and floor hue.

In preparation for the build we went and stayed in several small spaces or Tiny Homes, making reference to things we liked or not. For guests or visitors we centralised the lighting switches and labelled them – it shouldn’t be difficult on a short stay. We liked having the bathroom in the middle so that the bedroom could be easily shut off and kept private. Having lots of wardrobe space for suitcases or hanging space was important to us, along with a make up mirror in the corner seemed to tick the appropriate boxes. A flue was required behind the gas fire so instead of hiding it we made it a feature! Given the TH is a rectangle adding a 500mm exterior “chimney” cavity broke up all the straight lines and added a visual rustic flavour that fitted our rural location. It also made room to hide the sound system and sub woofer 😊 One reason we feel the bathroom really flows, is due to the choice of shower. Rounded front with the doors rolling on sliders within the shower cubicle, means there is a very real functional and flow improvement within a confined space. In the kitchen we utilised gas as the main source of energy for hot water and cooking either in the oven or on the hobb (with a back up of microwave for the quick stuff). Led lighting under the cabinets (above your head) eliminated any shadows and the butlers sink made it “pop”.

Kowhai House sits upon a bluff overlooking pristine native bush down to a river, the sunrise from the deck to the east is beyond stunning, so we are very selective of our landscape plantings to enhance this build. We chose black as the external colour and a rich copper colour on the deck enhanced with copper screws that we stringlined. With this base combination settled the outside fittings, downlights, and window trim were all chosen to enhance this central theming. Black mulch in the garden with black pathway borders further contributed to tying it all together. I control outside lighting to the garden, pathway, deck and firepit by smartphone, specific to individual guests requirements or if we have an event or party there. Our main service area (rubbish bins, gas tanks, calefont etc) is located at the rear of the TH, but is where you approach from so we simply screened it off and blended into the surroundings. Functional yet discreet.

Kowhai House has been a personal journey built on land we have occupied for 25 years. New Zealand is in a housing crisis and we believe the RMA hinders common sense decision making it an expensive slow process. Tiny Houses have a real part to play and provide real solutions, to people in need. Society is debt ridden and materialistic, first home buyers and the young are at a disadvantage. We have two Tiny Houses already and are looking forward to rolling the next one out following the blueprint we have already laid down.