Rob and Jan wanted a forever home. Living close to the beach near the Abel Tasman, they wanted resilience against coastal conditions. They also wanted efficiency to keep running costs low as they settled into their retirement years. We delivered a home Architecturally designed and engineered for very high wind zones, with Colorsteel Maxam cladding and locally milled redwood shiplap finished in Cutek CD50 stain for durability and natural character. Stainless steel rose head nails protect against corrosion, while oversized flashings add further weatherproofing. Performance was boosted with above-code insulation (R2.8 walls, R5.0 ceilings, R1.8 underfloor) and thermally broken double glazing with Aluvents for passive airflow and condensation control. The result is a house that looks architectural, but more importantly, one that will remain strong, comfortable, and low-maintenance for decades of coastal living.

Rob and Jan envisioned a home that felt calm and open, with the generous storage of a full-sized house and flexible spaces that would support their everyday routines as well as their future needs. The master bedroom includes a full wardrobe system with his-and-hers towers, plus an integrated corner desk to serve as a dedicated office space. The bathroom, at 1.8m wide, accommodates a full-width shower, laundry area, tall storage, and vertical heated towel rails. A custom cupboard with power points that neatly houses the washing machine and stick vacuum. High ceilings (2.7m) and floor-to-ceiling glazing ensure the living areas feel open and light-filled. Electric blinds provide quick privacy and comfort control. Together, these details mean the home not only functions well but also delivers the sense of welcome and ease Rob and Jan wanted.

The workmanship in Rob and Jan’s home is evident in the way architecture, materials, and construction standards come together with precision. Redwood vertical shiplap cladding, treated with Cutek CD50 and fixed with stainless steel rose head nails, gives the exterior both durability and character. The rose head nails add a handcrafted texture while ensuring corrosion resistance in a coastal environment. Behind the cladding, a full cavity system to provide ventilation and moisture control, an important detail that ensures the home performs in demanding conditions. Insulation was installed to meet and exceed today’s building code requirements, ensuring year-round comfort, efficiency, and quiet interiors. The envelope was specifically engineered for very high wind zones and coastal environments. Colorsteel Maxx wall cladding in ironsand adds crisp contrast to the natural Redwood, while the roof in Colorsteel Maxx 6-rib trapezoidal profile anchors the home with bold, enduring lines. Oversized barge boards, gutters, and flashings in matching ironsand protect the structure while completing the clean architectural silhouette. Thermally broken, double-glazed joinery further enhances the workmanship of the envelope, providing warmth, reduced condensation, and compliance with today’s residential code standards. A standout architectural detail is found at the angled Redwood corner, where a custom flashing was crafted to wrap around the edge of the home and provide a resting point for the colour-matched down pipe. Instead of concealing the pipe, this detail turns a practical requirement into a striking feature, breaking the box form of the house and adding depth to the façade. Inside, the same standard of workmanship is carried through. The Sellers Room kitchen features a fluted timber island, mitred stone bench tops, and tiled splash backs with flawless alignment and finish. Integrated LED lighting highlights the cabinetry while enhancing usability. In the bathroom, a fluted vanity, brushed gunmetal fixtures, grey switchgear, and a concealed laundry deliver functional elements with refined presentation. LVL flooring and grooved wall linings provide strength and subtle detail, giving the interior both solidity and architectural rhythm. From the cavity system behind the cladding to the thermally broken joinery, and from the stainless steel rose head nails to the crafted angled corner and flashing details, every part of Rob and Jan’s home reflects workmanship that balances architectural quality with performance built for its environment.

The kitchen was central to Rob and Jan’s brief: it needed to combine everyday practicality with a design statement. We delivered a custom wooden fluted centre island with slimline dishwasher, storage, and barstool dining, finished in a deep blue to tie into the tiled splash back. This detail anchors the kitchen as both functional hub and aesthetic focal point. Real stone bench tops, tiled splash backs, wood look negative detail under the bench, and open LED-lit wooden shelving complete the space. The floor plan separates private and social areas with a central hallway. In the master, space was left open for ease of movement and Wizzy the dogs bed, alongside the corner desk office nook. Comfort features include a Mitsubishi smart heat pump with dehumidifier, and discreet touches like an integrated garden tap and plumbed water filter. This design ensures the home adapts seamlessly between work, rest, and hosting.

Rob and Jan wanted their home to feel connected to its Abel Tasman surroundings, modern, coastal, and relaxing. The exterior combines an off-centre skillion roofline, oversized square-profile gutters, and Ironsand Colorsteel cladding with natural redwood, giving architectural form without losing warmth. Even practical elements like the Rinnai califont and powerpoints were chosen with specific finishes to blend in. Inside, duck-egg blue walls echo sea and sky, while grooved wall linings, negative-detail ceilings, and a timber-fluted vanity add subtle texture. Floor-to-ceiling glazing connects the interiors with the outdoors. Importantly, the layout gives pride of place to their vintage dresser and leather chair, ensuring these important pieces have a home. The outcome is a home that is distinctly coastal yet unmistakably theirs.

This home is a reflection of Rob and Jan. The layout supports their routines and incorporates what matters to them. Spaces for Wizzy, room for their special furniture pieces, and a balance between their love of entertaining and their need for a relaxing, inviting retreat. The colours, textures, and details throughout capture their style and personality. It is not a generic tiny house. It is their forever home, a modern coastal sanctuary designed for comfort, connection, and long-term peace of mind. We loved working alongside them to bring this vision to life.

Chris Pyemont, Andy Burridge, Adriaan Dubbleman, Florian Angerer, Bays Engineering, Motueka Plumbing, Worx Electrical, The Sellers Room, Totally Timber Mill, Placemakers Motueka, Ben Snowden Flooring, Guthrie Bowran Motueka and JC Painting