Sometimes it pays to think inside the box. Just look at this handsome Auckland haven of light and style.

Clad in contemporary black panels and warm vertical cedar, the monopitch construction makes great use of available space on a compact site. Structurally insulated panels ensure energy efficiency in this high-performance home.

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and open-plan living are smartly arranged on a modest 150sqm. Exterior decks frame the design, creating a nice extension of interior living. A patio is comfortably nestled between the new home and established gardens to the rear.

Practical and cost-effective, the custom plywood kitchen with walk-in pantry dominates one end of the open-plan hub. High ceilings, concrete floors and oodles of glass lend the interiors an open, polished feel.

The master and second bedrooms benefit from glass sliders, which open to the bordering deck. The third bedroom and nursery promises enough space to adapt to changing needs. This considered home provides a space-savvy solution to contemporary family life.