The Karangahake House, designed by Make Architects, is a family residence nestled between New Zealand’s Kaimai Ranges and the Coromandel Forest Park. Located on a farmland between Paeroa and Waihi, the house looks north toward the Karangahake Gorge, east across the valley to the Waitawheta River, and south-west to the Kaimai Ranges. The surrounding land offers a serene environment ideal for the home’s owners—a young family with a love for outdoor activities like running and mountain biking.
The Owners’ Vision
The owners of Karangahake House had a vision to build a simple, functional home that would integrate with the landscape and respect the area’s history.
The architects’ brief was inspired in the classic “trampers’ huts” often found in New Zealand’s forests. This architectural choice reflects the owner’s love for nature and the outdoors while respecting local building traditions.
For materials, they specifically requested timber and plywood, connecting the home’s design to the timber-logging history of the Coromandel region. In addition, the family planed to restore at least 11 acres of the property to native bush, underscoring their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Location and Environmental Connection
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ASK FOR QUOTESThe site chosen for Karangahake House is situated on a hilltop plateau with expansive views in nearly every direction. The location allowed the home to capture both light and breezes, with openings strategically placed for cross-ventilation and passive cooling.
Nearby, a popular trail stretches from the southern end of the land through to Mount Te Aroha, blending the home’s immediate environment with the surrounding natural landscape.
The location not only offers scenic beauty but also presents a challenge in terms of protecting the natural environment. The owners and architects approached the project with minimal disruption in mind, allowing the house to coexist with the land while aiming to restore native flora around it.
A Barn-Inspired Family Home
Karangahake House follows a straightforward, elongated barn form, extending 24 meters in length. Its shape is both functional and visually connected to the rural landscape, resembling traditional structures common to the area.
The design includes an outdoor room, positioned at the southern end, which acts as an intermediary space between the main house and the guest bedroom or office.
This timber-lined enclosure, essential for outdoor functionality, includes features like a coat rack, firewood stack, and wooden hanging rack for drying clothes.
A polycarbonate roof section over this outdoor room allows natural light to filter through during the day, creating a pleasant ambience, while at night it glows like a lantern.
Large sliding barn doors open on either side, providing easy access to the surrounding land and enabling the family to close off the area in case of strong winds.
On one side of the outdoor room, a mudroom and laundry area offer a private yet connected space used for remote work for productivity within the home.
On the south-western side of the house, a verandah runs the length of the building, acting as a secondary hallway and a shaded area for relief from the summer sun.
If you’re interested in exploring similar designs, the Youngman Lovell Barn House model offers a compelling example of modern barn-style architecture.
Smart Ventilation and Passive House Principles
One of the house’s key design elements is its commitment to energy efficiency and natural ventilation. The openings and layout are optimised to create a breeze across the house, enhancing the indoor climate without relying on mechanical cooling systems.
This ventilation approach aligns with passive house principles, making the home energy-efficient and comfortable year-round. By focusing on natural airflow, the design reduces the need for artificial cooling, providing a low-energy solution suitable for New Zealand’s climate.
Prefabrication Techniques and Sustainable Construction
The Karangahake House was partially prefabricated to minimise waste and expedite construction. The house’s structural components were constructed using pre-engineered “panelised cartridges” for the floors, walls, and roof, which were later assembled on-site.
This efficient building system was executed by a local Waihi builder with oversight from the contractor who provided the flat-pack system. The entire on-site assembly took only four days, significantly reducing labor costs and environmental impact by streamlining the construction process.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels form the floor structure, with built-in wool insulation directly installed on top of the bearers. This design choice provides excellent insulation and enhances energy efficiency.
Plywood wall panels, equipped with a rigid air barrier, offer improved bracing, fire resistance, and soundproofing. These panels, combined with the exterior and interior building wrap, protect the structure from moisture and drafts, contributing to a more stable indoor environment.
To ensure airtightness, the insulation layer is continuous, crossing the studs and minimising cold bridging—where heat might otherwise escape through gaps in insulation. This airtight design helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures and protects the home from dampness, while also reducing heating costs.
Thoughtfully Selected Materials and Finishes
The materials and finishes used throughout Karangahake House were chosen with sustainability, durability, and low maintenance in mind. Each element reflects the owner’s desire for a home that blends naturally with its surroundings.
Exterior Materials
The house’s roof is made of durable, corrugated Colorsteel, a material known for its resilience and long lifespan.
The facades are clad in Abodo weatherboard, a pre-silvered timber treated with Sioo:x technology. This coating creates a low-maintenance finish that weathers to a light-grey, driftwood-like appearance, enhancing the home’s rustic appeal while requiring minimal upkeep.
Windows are fitted with Euro-style tilt-and-pivot joinery, a thermally broken system that helps prevent heat loss and ensures good insulation.
Interior Materials
Inside, the house features warm, CLT floors, which add both a tactile quality and insulation benefits. The walls and ceiling are fully lined with plywood, providing a modern, yet relaxed atmosphere. Plywood’s natural texture lends a warm and contemporary feel to the interior, echoing the simplicity of the design while ensuring comfort and coziness.
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ASK FOR QUOTESNOTE: This project was the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) 2021 Winner Waikato | Small Project Architecture Award.
All photos by David Straight and Adobo wood company.