Pohutu Street new build

A Home Designed for the Future

The original brief was to extend the client’s son’s existing house, creating an attached home where she could live comfortably in retirement. As the concept developed, we encouraged the client to consider building a completely separate minor dwelling in the
front yard instead. This provided her with greater privacy and independence, while keeping her close to family.

The project was completed as a custom design and build under a fixed-price contract.The result is a warm, dry and comfortable home designed entirely around the client’s individual needs, tastes and plans for the future.

Working within a fixed budget required careful planning throughout the design process. As the plans evolved, we assessed the financial impact of each feature and selection, helping the client make informed decisions while keeping the project firmly on track.

The local ground conditions presented an additional challenge, requiring a specifically engineered foundation and an elevated floor level approximately 1.3 metres above the existing ground. With thoughtful planning and design, we created a modern home that sits comfortably within the established neighbourhood while retaining its own distinctive character.

Durable, low-maintenance COLORSTEEL cladding was selected for most of the exterior. A portal-framed front gable, finished with JSC vertical timber weatherboards, adds warmth and architectural interest—giving this minor dwelling a striking street presence.

The client also had some very specific preferences for the plumbing fittings, tiles and kitchen joinery. We worked closely with her to source and incorporate these selections,
ensuring the finished home felt truly personal and suited the way she wanted to live.

Construction was initially estimated to take 19 weeks. Through detailed scheduling, careful coordination and strong project management, we completed and handed over the home in just 17 weeks—two weeks ahead of schedule and within the agreed fixed-price budget.