Jo and Allan wanted a modern, low-maintenance home they could return to between their travels. A place that was warm, efficient, and ready for the future. Their brief was clear: a home designed specifically for them, combining sleek modern lines with thoughtful features that would make everyday living effortless. We delivered a home engineered for coastal conditions with Colorsteel Maxam roofing and cladding in Grey Friars, paired with locally milled redwood shiplap finished in Cutek CD50 for durability and natural warmth. Stainless steel rose head nails protect against corrosion, while oversized flashings make a feature of the windows and further strengthen weatherproofing. Insulation was above-code (R2.8 walls, R5.0 ceilings, R1.8 underfloor), combined with thermally broken double glazing and Aluvents for passive ventilation. The structure sits on a custom engineered Bays Engineering trailer. Architecturally designed and an SP1 engineering certificate, this home comes with an industry-leading five-year warranty. The result is a home that looks sleek and architectural, yet is built to remain strong, comfortable, and efficient for decades to come. It is fitted with a large bifold window complete with discreet fly screen protectors that glide easily up and down, making indoor–outdoor living seamless.

Open-plan living was central to Jo and Allan’s vision. They wanted their kitchen at the heart of the home, with seamless flow to the living space and an outlook to the trees. They added a 2.5m x 1.8m bifold window that connects the lounge to the outdoors, while a full-width window seat beneath provides both storage and flexible seating. High 2.7m ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows give the space a light, open feel. For everyday routines, the home includes a full-size wardrobe with his-and-hers towers, a custom laundry unit, and a bathroom wide enough to comfortably accommodate stacked appliances, heated towel rails, and a backlit vanity mirror. A ramp to the deck and future-proofed features such as insect mesh blinds and discreetly integrated power points make the home easy to live in now and adaptable for later.

The workmanship in Jo and Allan’s home is evident in the way proven construction techniques and carefully selected materials were brought together to create a permanent, high-quality residence. South Base Homes believes in using conventional, reliable methods and materials that align with New Zealand Building Code requirements, ensuring every build delivers the strength, safety, and comfort of a full-scale home. Every material was chosen for quality and longevity, with no shortcuts taken. The roofline is a defining feature. Its central apex creates a sense of volume inside while giving the exterior a strong residential identity. Oversized barge boards, gutters, and flashings, together with the roofing, are all Colorsteel Maxam products, a range designed for coastal resilience. The roof itself is clad in Colorsteel Maxam 6-rib trapezoidal profile, providing durability and bold architectural lines. Externally, Redwood cladding treated with Cutek CD50 was sourced from a local family mill and fixed with stainless steel rose head nails, combining corrosion resistance with a subtle handcrafted touch. Behind the cladding, a cavity system ensures ventilation and added thermal efficiency, while thermally broken, double-glazed joinery provides energy efficiency and compliance with today’s building code. Inside, workmanship is equally refined. Bays Engineering supplied the custom trailer foundation, while specialist joiners, plumbers, and electricians ensured precision in every step. The Sellers Room created a U-shaped kitchen with stone bench tops, custom art splash back, and cabinetry aligned to millimetre accuracy. Negative-detail wall and ceiling linings were set out to create continuous clean lines. LVL plank flooring adds structural strength, wool carpets provide warmth, and Greens tap ware and shower sets with 10–20 year warranties ensure lasting performance. From the Redwood cladding and stainless steel rose head nails to the Colorsteel Maxam envelope and finely detailed interiors, Jo and Allan’s home reflects workmanship that elevates compact living to the quality of high end residential architecture, durable, refined, and built to endure.

The kitchen was central to Jo and Allan’s brief. It needed to be practical for everyday use while also delivering a statement. A 40mm Caesarstone Turbine Grey bench top is paired with brushed nickel hardware, soft-close runners, and cabinetry extending to the ceiling for maximum storage. Enko smart mechanisms maximise corner spaces, while stone offcuts double as sink covers, transforming the bench top into a seamless entertaining surface. A downdraught range hood rises only when needed, and a bespoke glass splash back by artist Lucy G makes the space distinctly theirs. Elsewhere, the home is full of thoughtful consideration. A plumbed-in water filter, an integrated garden tap, and hidden power points tucked into the window seat for charging devices. Wall-mounted speakers and surround sound create an immersive lounge experience. Outdoor living was also carefully considered. A 56sqm wraparound, multi-level deck connects seamlessly with the interior, future-proofed with structural connections for their louvre system. This ensures the outdoor living space feels like an intentional extension of the home, not an afterthought.

Jo and Allan wanted a sleek, modern home. The exterior balances sharp architectural lines with a skillion roof, oversized gutters, and trapezoidal Grey Friars steel cladding with the warmth of natural redwood. Even practical features like the charcoal Rinnai califont and exterior power points were colour-matched to blend seamlessly. Inside, brushed nickel tap ware, cabinetry handles, toilet roll holder, robe hooks and heated towel rails bring consistency, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame the landscape. The black feature wall provides a clean backdrop for a 65” TV and sound system, while the window seat and bifold glazing create a natural gathering spot that blurs the line between indoors and outdoors. The wraparound deck reinforces the home’s connection to its setting, creating multiple outdoor areas for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the treescape outlook. By planning the louvre system placement from the outset, the architecture and outdoor living spaces feel fully integrated, delivering a flow that unites house and landscape.

This home is a reflection of Jo and Allan’s lifestyle, sleek and modern, but grounded in comfort and practicality. It gives them a base to return to from their travels, with everything they need in a compact, easy-to-maintain footprint. The design balances minimalism with thoughtful detail like the glass splash back art, the hidden power points, the wraparound deck and window seat under the bifold window. It is personal, efficient, and future-proofed. It is not just a house, but a warm and inviting sanctuary that feels distinctly theirs. We loved working alongside Jo and Allan, taking the time to understand their style and their needs so we could design and deliver a home that is not only beautiful, but truly theirs.

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