Waipu House by Makespace

In the pristine surrounds of Waipu on New Zealand’s North Island, an architecturally designed modular home from Makespace adds a swathe of subdued drama.

Created for clients who wanted a weekender – ‘bach’ in local slang – close enough to Auckland to be able to spend a night during the week or to work from home for short breaks, an elevated site in Waipu two hours north of the city met every criterion. To craft a low-maintenance bach that embraced the site’s stunning views over Waipu Cove and across to Whangārei Heads, the clients approached Makespace, which creates architecturally designed modular homes.

“The modular aspect offers customers a more efficient process: the house can be under construction before site works even begin, which ultimately speeds up the process.”

“The brief was to create a bach that complemented the beautiful surroundings of bush and ocean, with most aspects of the build revolving around the 270-degree view,” says Isaac Lindesay, Makespace’s founder. “The elevated site was fairly exposed, so the materials had to be durable and, being a bach, low maintenance, which is why we opted for thermally modified timber cladding.”

Like all of Makespace’s homes, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 168-square-metre residence was built offsite – in this instance, at the company’s Auckland yard – and the modules transported by truck and craned onto the block. Once in position, the team then completed connectivity, site works and landscaping. “We offer a full turnkey solution which, in remote settings like this, is an attractive proposition,” says Isaac. “The modular aspect offers customers a more efficient process: the house can be under construction before site works even begin, which ultimately speeds up the process.”

“The large floor-to-ceiling glazing ensuring that the view – which, for the most part, is uninterrupted – and surrounding landscape were the main features.”

Waipu House might be simple in form – just four modules connected by a pergola and decking – but it has a commanding presence in its pristine Northland setting. The black tulipwood exterior is complemented by equally minimalist, pared-back interiors, with cedar-lined walls, European oak flooring from Forté and muted Artedomus tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, the latter featuring textured black slate benchtops and Plumbline fixtures in brass.

“The interiors are intentionally minimalist,” says Isaac, “with the large floor-to-ceiling glazing ensuring that the view – which, for the most part, is uninterrupted – and surrounding landscape were the main features. The clients selected a feature cedar interior wall lining throughout the living/kitchen areas as well as in the master bedroom to maintain a homey, warm feeling.”

“From material selection to floor-plan functionality, through to connectivity with the landscape, we’re determined to give our clients a space and experience they will value for years to come.”

The modular construction process gives the house impeccable sustainability credentials too, beyond its solar panels. “The entire offsite build naturally reduces waste, which is the main environmental impact of the construction sector,” says Isaac. “On an average job, we would produce 10 to 15 per cent less waste [than a traditional build]. All our designs are focused around standard material/sheet sizes and many offcuts or leftovers that would typically be thrown away we store and use on the next project. For example, framing offcuts are cut into nogs and stored at our yard and leftover plywood is saved and used when we create built-in furniture in our homes.”

Makespace offers pre-designed floor plans for residences from one to four bedrooms, but everything is customisable. “Clients work with our in-house team to create their dream space. From material selection to floor plan functionality, through to connectivity with the surrounding landscape, we’re determined to give our clients a space and experience they will value for years to come.”

Architecture, interior design and build by Makespace.