For this house to work for its clients, it needed be a home, a base for their consultancy business and to provide accommodation for Airbnb guests. Practicality and value for money had to meet style and street appeal. This three-bedroom home on its elevated site achieves this and more – it has also been optimised for energy efficiency. Sited to make the most of passive solar energy, the 200sqm house has perimeter-edge insulation in the foundations along with use of low-energy appliances.

Green Homes New Zealand is the country’s only internationally compliant residential builder for design and construction of energy-efficiency homes (ISO 50001). The heart of the multi-use house is the bright, airy kitchen, which has a minimalist vibe. Unobtrusive handles and hidden appliances keep the lines clean, while a recessed rear workstation provides depth and a focal point. A large central island doubles as a breakfast bar. Macrocarpa and Sto combine in an attractive exterior, and the sustainable decking is sympathetic to its surroundings. In time, taller foliage and a pool will enhance the outdoors of this stunning home.