Te Ngāhere Hou sits at the head of Kenepuru Sound in the Marlborough Sounds, surrounded by native bush and overlooking expansive views across the water toward Pelorus Sound. The brief called for a two-bedroom off-grid home with a separate guest room and bathroom, designed to respond to both the remote setting and the clients’ desire for softer, curved forms within the living spaces.

Given the site’s distance from major centres, the project was carefully planned with local builder David Kepes using large, truckable volumetric modules. These were constructed off-site and transported to the property, allowing the home to be assembled efficiently while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship. The modules are arranged in a gentle arc, capturing the changing views and light throughout the day while framing the surrounding landscape.

Our imi-Plus concrete surface was specified within the project, bringing a refined material contrast to the warm timber elements and natural palette of the house. Its subtle texture and architectural character complement the crafted materiality of the home while providing a durable surface suited to everyday living.

This project was featured on Grand Designs New Zealand.