This compact low-maintenance new home in the Wellington suburb of Karori demonstrates that affordable design need not sacrifice sustainability, performance or comfort.
Initially, our clients approached us to renovate and extend their aging 2-bedroom bungalow. However, given its poor condition we advised rebuilding instead—delivering a new high-performance, low-maintenance home within a similar budget.
The New Zealand Green Building Council’s Homestar framework provided a practical guide to design and material choices that prioritised energy efficiency, low embodied carbon, and thermal comfort. The building’s exterior features durable, low-maintenance Colorsteel, its form a nod to the original bungalow this new home replaced. The house is set back from the street with an attractive deep garden planted with natives, overlooked by a large sheltered sunny deck.
Inside, a simple minimalist aesthetic enhances the sense of space. The open-plan living area is bathed in afternoon sun, with a seamless connection to the outdoors. A small private rear courtyard provides a practical ‘transition area’ from the outdoors, where the couple - both runners - clean off and store their running shoes before entering the house.
Comfort, thermal performance and sustainability are always considerations with our residential designs. Our in-house Homestar expertise adds to our skill set to design smarter, healthier homes for the future.
