A concrete drive leads to the garage and front door of this light, bright and super-practical townhouse in Wanganui East. Weatherboards and a mono-pitch roof enhance the sense of size.

The inner-city home is positioned well within a tight boundary. An open-plan kitchen and living room flows to a paved outdoor area, which runs the length of the house. For more informal meals or a morning cuppa, there’s seating at the kitchen bench. Plenty of glass lets the sun shine in, offering a pleasant view of the lawn. Raised garden beds give the home an established feel. Polished concrete floors with poly-insulation provide passive thermal mass. A heat pump, double-glazing and insulation also help keep things warm. This home has been built with the needs of the elderly in mind: the bathroom is equipped with a shower and a toilet that have wheelchair access. The master bedroom opens to the paved area outside through glass sliders. If required, one of the two other bedrooms can easily be converted into a separate dining space. The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe, and the other two bedrooms have built-in closets.