ReelHaus was designed with long-term adaptability in mind, ensuring it can comfortably meet the changing needs of its owners or future users. The cabin is fully wheelchair accessible, with step-free access via a ramp, smooth internal transitions, and a flush-entry shower — all supporting ease of movement and aging in place. Sustainable materials were used throughout, including locally sourced timber and durable full-thickness gum flooring milled by friends, chosen for longevity and low maintenance. Double glazing and high-performance insulation reduce heating and cooling demands, while solar energy supports both the hot water system and underfloor heating in the bathroom, helping to keep ongoing operating costs low and efficient.

ReelHaus was architecturally designed to provide long-term liveability through both functionality and comfort. Its compact footprint is maximised through clever spatial planning, creating a sense of openness without excess. Large double-opening sliding doors not only frame expansive views of the Opua Marina but also bring in natural light and ventilation, enhancing daily comfort. The entire cabin is step-free, with smooth flooring transitions and a flush-entry shower, making it fully accessible for all ages and mobility levels. Full-thickness gum flooring, locally milled, adds durability and warmth underfoot, while solar-powered hot water and underfloor heating in the bathroom create year-round comfort with lower energy costs. The use of natural, locally sourced materials grounds the home in its environment and ensures it remains easy to maintain — offering a space that adapts as its occupants’ needs evolve.

ReelHaus showcases a high level of craftsmanship, with careful attention to detail and material alignment throughout. The interior walls are hand-stained birch plywood, finished with eco-friendly Rubio Monocoat for a rich, matte tone that highlights the natural grain. Every plywood panel is installed with precise 5mm black reveals, aligned at every angle — including with the vaulted Meranti ply ceilings — demonstrating meticulous planning and execution. Ceilings and window frames are hand-finished maple to match the interior walls, contributing to a seamless and unified aesthetic. The custom-built cavity sliding doors for both the bathroom and bedroom feature carved nautilus motifs on both sides and soft-close hardware, blending function with artistry. Other details that highlight the build quality include: • A fully tiled, large walk-in shower with a low-iron LED-lit glass partition • Smart LED lighting throughout, including custom features like an antique yacht port light retrofitted with LED • Built-in USB and USC ports in bedroom and kitchen fixtures for integrated modern living • A compact woodburning fireplace for efficient, cozy heating in cooler months Externally, the flax pod-coloured Colorsteel roof meets finely crafted matching colour of timber board-and-batten cladding, fitted with black aluminium-framed joinery to tie the home visually to the landscape. The entry gate, designed for accessibility, includes a custom-carved aluminium nautilus detail, and the entry path features a very large-scale kingfish mural — a creative feature covering the face of a repurposed shipping container. Every element, from the panel alignment to the finish selection, reflects a commitment to quality, longevity, and thoughtful design.

ReelHaus is designed to maximise functionality and flow within a compact footprint, ensuring every element serves a purpose while enhancing comfort and usability. The open-plan living, kitchen, and dining space sits at the heart of the home, anchored by large double-opening sliding doors that open directly onto a generous deck and a private, landscaped yard. This seamless indoor-outdoor connection extends the usable living space and draws in the tranquil views of the bay and Opua Marina, alive with native birdlife including weka, tūī, kererū (wood pigeons), and piwakawaka (fantails). The vaulted ceilings and open sightlines create a feeling of spaciousness, while the efficient layout ensures ease of movement — particularly important for the home’s full wheelchair accessibility. Cavity sliding doors with soft-close mechanisms provide privacy for the bedroom and bathroom without taking up valuable floor space, and built-in storage solutions maintain a clutter-free environment. Smart spatial planning means each zone flows naturally into the next, and considered touches — like integrated USB/USC ports, cavity sliding doors, a compact woodburner for efficient heating, and smart LED lighting — support everyday living without visual or functional compromise. The result is a small-footprint home that feels generous, connected to nature, and intuitively easy to live in.

ReelHaus combines natural materials, fine craftsmanship, and thoughtful design to create a visually striking yet grounded home. Its exterior blends seamlessly into the coastal landscape with a flax pod-coloured Colorsteel roof, vertical board-and-batten timber cladding, and matte black window frames — all chosen to complement the surrounding bush and bay views. A custom-carved aluminium nautilus gate sets the tone at the entry, leading visitors along a path beside a vibrant mural of a kingfish school — a bold and personal tribute to the home’s connection to the sea. Inside, the wow factor continues with a rich palette of hand-stained birch plywood walls, maple-framed windows, and vaulted Meranti ceilings. Black 5mm reveals meticulously align across every surface, highlighting the precision and care in construction. Custom-carved nautilus motifs on soft-close cavity sliding doors in the bedroom and bathroom add sculptural detail, while integrated lighting — including a repurposed antique yacht port light — provides both ambiance and storytelling. The large double sliding doors open the living space to a wood panelled covered private deck and landscaped garden, offering ever-changing views of the bay and native birdlife. From the craftsmanship in every panel to the fusion of nature, art, and architecture, ReelHaus achieves its visual appeal not through scale, but through intentional, finely executed detail that invites curiosity, comfort, and calm.

ReelHaus is not just a thoughtfully designed and beautifully crafted home — it’s also a deeply personal project built with heart, purpose, and hands-on commitment. We worked with Bahareh from Maker 3D to translate a floor plan we designed ourselves into a full set of architectural plans that met sub-30m² requirements while maximising our tight site. Bahareh’s input was instrumental, providing structural engineering for the large front glazing, a complete materials and timber cut list, and even a build video to guide the process. While we hired friends to help with early site work and engaged our builder friend Robbie Burns to help with the exterior framing, roofing, and cladding, the entire interior was completed by us — a couple of old gals aged 62 and 71 — as a true labour of love. We insulated, laid the 25mm thick full-length gum flooring, hand-finished and installed every ply panel, completed and installed all the tiling, cabinetry, decking, painting, appliance installs, and final detailing ourselves. ReelHaus stands as a testament to what’s possible with vision, collaboration, and care — not only a small, efficient home, but a handcrafted expression of place, sustainability, and lifelong adaptability.

Bahareh from Maker3D and Robbie Burns