ISSUE 51 2026
The winner’s issue Inside 2026’s award-winning homes
Ground rules What building in quake country really takes
Building that lasts
Architects Michael Dillon and Siân Taylor on putting people first
Is a smart home the smart choice?
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In this issue... 18.
Building what outlives you
JTB Architects’ Michael Dillon on restoration, affordable housing, and why it all comes back to people
Canterbury shines in the NZIA Awards
7
What the region’s 2026 architecture winners tell you about building and renovating here
22.
Otago region leads the housing field
28.
Celebrating the best in timber design
Air New Zealand’s Hangar 4 takes the Resene Supreme Award at the 2026 Timber Design Awards
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48.
ISSUE 51 2026 BUILD&RENOVATE TODAY MAGAZINE - ISSUE 51 2026
Standout housing from a compact Wanaka home to reworked lakeside classics
The winner’s issue Inside 2026’s award-winning homes
Ground rules What building in quake country really takes
Is a smart home the smart choice?
The new rules of home design
Great architecture does both
22
Siân Taylor on why good design should never force a choice between performance and beauty
18
What office design teaches the home
Is a smart home the smart choice?
What smart tech is worth wiring in, and what just impresses in the showroom
62.
ONLINE
Two dishwashers and walls of shoe storage, as builders design around how families really live
Why the open-plan office is being rethought
56.
Building that lasts
Architects Michael Dillon and Siân Taylor on putting people first
Built to belong
After the Te Anau quake, building for the Great South and the ground beneath it
4 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
Cover image: Two Sheds, near Arrowtown, by RTA Studio. Image credit to Samuel Hartnett.
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Ancora Tea For One, Burgundy Deep colour and a high-gloss glaze make the Ancora Tea For One a quiet showstopper on any tray. Crafted in fine bone china and shaped after vintage high tea sets, this neat stacking teapot, infuser, cup and saucer turns a solo brew into a small, deliberate ritual. RRP $95 NZD www.t2tea.com
Asker Chenille Lounge Chair Refined and relaxed in equal measure, the Asker Chenille Lounge Chair pairs a soft, textured upholstery with a high backrest and curved silhouette. Plush cushioning and neutral cream tones make it an easy fit for a reading nook, bedroom corner or living room. RRP $185 NZD www.kmart.co.nz
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This Build and Renovate issue tours award-winning homes, picks the brains of architects with their fingers on the sector’s pulse, gets practical in spaces like offices and gardens, and keeps its feet in the South Island. It’s that time of year when the best of the best are celebrated, with the NZIA regional winners and the 2026 Timber Design Awards. JTB Architects’ Michael Dillon and sustainable architect Siân Taylor share what recent projects taught them about building that outlives its trends and takes care of the people who live inside it. Then we get practical. Builders tell us how families really live now, from double dishwashers to walls of shoe storage. We weigh up which smart tech is worth wiring in, what office design teaches the home, and how one well-placed plant can carry a room. And after the Te Anau quake, we look at building for the Great South, where local judgement and South Island scale matter most. Happy reading, the team at
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Small footprint,
expansive living How architect Sharlene Browning made a compact Central Otago build feel open, light and connected to its surrounds
Images by Renee Odgers of RO
When designing her four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home in Cromwell, Central Otago, architect Sharlene Browning wanted to make the most of the compact 316m² site, creating a home that feels open, light and connected to its surrounds. “People often think bigger houses are better, but smaller floorplans can be more successful at encouraging connection through the sharing of areas,” Sharlene says. “The key is to make intimate spaces feel open.” An initial priority for Sharlene was daylight and fresh air, using VELUX skylights to help light reach deeper into the home while supporting airflow and creating a greater sense of space. “When people think about creating space, they try to make the box bigger. Our aim was to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors, so that walls and ceilings aren’t the limit of how you experience the home.” The home is positioned to capture winter sun while reducing exposure to strong seasonal winds common in Central Otago. Windows are thoughtfully placed to frame views of the mountains. Every opening has a purpose. “You don’t experience a space in feet and inches, it’s felt
subconsciously. It’s why a space that utilises scale, colour, light and airflow, makes you feel more present,” adds Sharlene. This subconscious design is typified by the interior wall heights, which were carefully considered to create a sense of volume that is enhanced with the use of vertical timber battening. “I’ve had people argue with me that rooms are bigger than they are. That’s the power of playing with dimensions and perspective,” adds Sharlene. “Around 10% of the design process went into aligning windows, doors and skylights. I’d suggest investing that time to anyone building or renovating a home, so that they make the best connection to daylight and the surrounding nature,” she adds. “Whether it’s coming home from the school run, working from my office, or enjoying time with the family, we love living here. That’s when I really know the design is successful.”
8 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
Sharlene Browning
www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
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Six years in Southland's top five Invercargill’s housing market sits apart from the pressure-cooker conditions seen in New Zealand’s larger centres. As the country’s southernmost city, it offers a mix of affordable residential suburbs, lifestyle blocks, and rural bareland sections across greater Southland, from Bluff and Waikiwi to smaller communities like Ohai, Nightcaps and Riverton. Southland’s property scene rewards agents with genuinely local knowledge rather than a narrow city focus. Sales consultant Monica Cairns works that market covering the whole of it rather than a single patch. What stands out in her record isn’t a single big year but the absence of a weak one, through changing conditions and across property types that each sell to a different buyer.
That consistency has been recognised externally, too. Cairns
has picked up six consecutive RateMyAgent Region Top 5 awards for Southland, from 2021 through to 2026, alongside three National Top 100 placings in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Rather than running a solo operation, Cairns works as part of a small team covering Southland’s spread-out and varied property landscape, alongside fellow sales consultants Tawhiti McPherson, Abigail Carpenter and Lisa Given, giving the team reach across everything from first-home sales in Invercargill’s suburbs to lifestyle blocks and bareland sections further afield. The franchise’s fee model has become part of its identity in the local market. Tall Poppy’s approach of fair, flat fees without compromising on quality is a real point of difference against traditional commission structures still common regionally.
10 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
Sellers are offered free marketing support as part of that flat fee, rather than as a negotiated extra, which has proven a persuasive argument for owners weighing up their options in a market where every dollar of sale price matters.
“Not only did she achieve an incredibly quick sale in less than a week, but she also handled every step of the process with professionalism and care.” Monica holds reviews across dozens of Southland locations, pointing consistently to an agent who is easy to deal with and hands-on regardless of a sale’s size or complexity. “Working with Monica was incredibly easy from start to finish,” says one client. “Monica put me at ease from our
first interaction, was very efficient and kept me informed every step of the process,” says another. “Not only did she achieve an incredibly quick sale in less than a week, but she also handled every step of the process with professionalism and care,” another review reads. “What meant the most to our family was the kindness and respect she showed my father. At 92 years old, it was so important that he felt comfortable and understood.” That kind of feedback underlines what sets Cairns apart. The combination of local reach, transparent fees and a track record built over more than a decade makes Monica Cairns a name that keeps surfacing for good reason, whether the conversation starts with a first home in Waikiwi or a lifestyle property on the city’s outskirts. Working out which parts of your property are worth leading on is where the conversation starts.
The agent Southland keeps coming back to
Monica Cairns Sales Consultant
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Building what outlives you A conversation with JTB Architects’ director Michael Dillon By Ben O’Connell
When Michael Dillon’s team took on the restoration of the P&D Duncan Building, a Category 2 heritage building in central Christchurch, badly damaged in the quakes, the brief was to keep its soul intact. “We left the brick, the stone, the great roof trusses visible wherever we could,” says the JTB Architects’ director. “That kind of work reminds you that architecture is one of the few professions where what you make outlives you. That’s a privilege, and it keeps you honest.”
every project. Michael says what separates a great architect from a merely competent one is that focus on people. “You have to be able to hold a client’s vision in one hand and the reality of a site, a budget, and a community in the other, and find something that genuinely honours all of it,” he says.
JTB’s philosophy, to help make New Zealand’s built environment a better place, runs through
“But beyond the technical demands, I think what separates the truly great is the ability to
build enduring relationships, with clients, with communities, with the teams you work alongside, based on trust and mutual respect. Great buildings rarely emerge from a single conversation or a single mind.” That ethos is visible in Tewa Banks in Arrowtown: 68 affordable homes for the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust, on a site gifted by QLDC beside the Arrow River, with five tenure types, ground source heating, and community gardens tying the development back to the river. “It’s architecture that genuinely serves the people who need it most.” The project began years ago with a handful of house designs for the Trust and grew, one commission at a time, into a full master plan. “It’s incredible what the Trust has managed to do, not just with Tewa Banks, but across all of their developments. Housing that’s genuinely affordable is such a challenge in
Michael Dillon
the Queenstown region, and it’s been a lovely project to be part of.” Michael’s own role has morphed over the years. First, he was a project architect who designed, worked on-site and dealt with consultants and clients directly. Joining JTB meant establishing a new office essentially from scratch, before hiring staff and learning to manage workflows and quality across a growing business.
Tewa Banks in Arrowtown, photos by Jason Man
“Architecture is one of the few professions where what you make outlives you. That’s a privilege, and it keeps you honest.”
Becoming a director a few years ago, he says, pulled him further from the drawing board and into a people-focused role. Much of that role is about building a culture where the
wider team can do its best work. JTB’s one-studio model unites five offices as a single collaborative practice, allowing every project to draw on specialist knowledge from across the country. Expertise such as Michael’s experience in earthquake restrengthening can support projects beyond Christchurch and Wellington. The entire practice works under one shared vision. His perspectives have also changed. Early on, he says, it was tempting to see every project decision as a trade-off, a loss somewhere. Now he sees it differently. “It’s not really about compromise,” he says. “It’s about making the best decision you can, with the information in front
“Stay curious and stay grounded. The craft deepens over a lifetime, and that’s one of the great privileges of this profession. There’s always more to learn. Expect setbacks, but keep the fire in you. At its heart, architecture is about creativity and problem-solving, and that never gets old.” - Michael Dillon
LOC Construction’s Panorama Road project was a Gold Award Regional Category Winner at Master Builders’ House of the Year 2025. Photos by Kaleb Johnston
of you at the time, in service of the vision for the project. Thinking of everything as a compromise makes it sound pretty negative, when actually it’s an opportunity to make the best call and keep the project moving. It’s more collaborative than compromise.” Another framing he’s wary of is style. Instead, what interests him is work that couldn’t have been designed anywhere else. The Panorama Road houses in Sumner are one example. On a steep, constrained 645m² site dropping to the Zig Zag Track, the design embraces the slope. A CLT structure steps down the hillside following the contours, with every window placed to frame views of Pegasus Bay and the Kaikōura Ranges. “When you get the approach right,” he says, “the style takes care of itself.” Such fleshed-out perspective shifts are the product of a multifaceted portfolio. After years mostly in residential work, Michael has spent more recent time on commercial projects. His role there is less about delivering every element personally and more about holding a singular vision steady while a wider team of specialists handles technical details. “It’s a real joy,” he says of the mindset change.
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“You still have to hold onto that vision, but you get to bring other people along with it too.” Michael’s advice to homeowners echoes his general approach. He says to work with what’s already there, consider the threshold between in and out, and let the bigger outcome follow from getting the small things right. “A well-considered door, a simple pergola, a view framed from a living area to the garden; these moves cost relatively little but fundamentally change how a home feels to inhabit,” he says. Light matters just as much. “Sometimes a single well-placed window does more for a room than a complete renovation.” “Stay curious and stay grounded,” Michael says. “The craft deepens over a lifetime, and that’s one of the great privileges of this profession. There’s always more to learn.” He says architecture is a team endeavour, from the first conversation to the final coat of paint, and the quality of those relationships shapes the quality of the work. It all comes back to people. “Expect setbacks, but keep the fire in you. At its heart, architecture is about creativity and problem-solving, and that never gets old.
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Canterbury shines in NZIA Awards What the region’s 2026 architecture award winners tell you about building and renovating here. 28 projects from across the Canterbury region took prizes at this year’s Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Regional Awards, held at the Christchurch Town Hall on 4 June. Entries came from as far north as Rangiora and as far south as Timaru, and ranged from large-scale public buildings to the most intimate of spiritual spaces.
Timber Taco - Shaw & Shaw Architects Photos by Mikayla Exton
Photo by Geordie Shaw
18 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
Beach House - Anna-Marie Chin Architects Photos by Simon Devitt
For anyone building or renovating, the housing categories are the ones to study. Banks Peninsula was well represented, with winners at Akaroa, Governors Bay and Lyttelton across the housing, alterations and public categories. In Housing, Anna-Marie Chin Architects took an award for Beach House, a multigenerational holiday home tucked into a sheltered Akaroa bay. It answers the site with two forms, a front house drawing on the peninsula’s historic mission architecture and a rear gable pavilion in the manner of a New Zealand barn, its interior closer to a classic Kiwi bach. Loburn Pavilions by Three Sixty Architecture and Frankie’s House by Warren and Mahoney were also recognised in Housing. The alterations and renovation categories carried real weight too. Chaplin Crooks Architects’ reworking of The Red Cottage
The homes that won did not chase size. They answered their site, used materials with intent, and came from teams that stayed aligned from brief to handover.
and Warren and Mahoney’s Chapter Street, both in Christchurch, showed what a well-judged addition can do for an existing home. Colour featured strongly as well, with Resene Colour Awards going to Shaw & Shaw Architects for Timber Taco in Governors Bay and Kererū Corner in Christchurch, and to The Court Theatre.
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Parakiore Recreation and Aquatic Centre Photos by Ian Hutchison
At the larger end of the field, the Parakiore Recreation and Aquatic Centre, a collaboration between Warren and Mahoney, MJMA Architecture & Design of Toronto and Melbourne’s Peddle Thorp, won the Public Architecture category for its emphasis on community use, accessibility and practicality, qualities that speak to the civic ambition of post-earthquake Christchurch. At the other end of the scale, the 17-square-metre Chapel of St Thérèse of Lisieux in Lyttelton, by Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, proved that architecture’s power to move is not measured in size. There was recognition for older buildings as well. The Heritage award went to the restoration of the Christchurch Boys’ High School Main Block by Athfield Architects, and the Enduring Architecture award to the 1959 Princess Margaret Hospital by Manson, Seward and Stanton, a nod to a building whose contribution has lasted.
20 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
Chapel of St Thérèse of Lisieux in Lyttelton, by Bull O’Sullivan Architecture. Photos by Mary Gaudin
Jury convenor Mike Callaghan, of Johnstone Callaghan Architects, was struck by how entrants handled tight constraints. “The jury was impressed by the ingenuity architects showed in responding to complex briefs and challenging constraints, while maintaining strong collaborative relationships with clients, contractors and consultants,” he said.
Callaghan was joined on the jury by Julia Mercer of Elbow Architects, Daniel Smith of Edwards White Architects, and lay juror Annabel Cropper of Annabel Cropper Design. For a reader with a project in mind, the through-line is worth keeping. The homes that won did not chase size. They answered their site, used materials with intent, and
came from teams that stayed aligned from brief to handover. That is a fair benchmark to take to your own architect or builder. The Regional Architecture Awards are a peer-reviewed programme run annually by Te Kāhui Whaihanga, New Zealand Institute of Architects, in association with Resene and APL.
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Otago region leads the housing field Garden House - Imageworks Studio Photos by Jeannine Tuffin
In the Southern region, housing was the standout. 27 Otago projects took awards from Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, and eleven of them were homes, spread across Wānaka, Queenstown, Arrowtown and Tarras. Presented at the Regent Theatre in Dunedin on 22 May, the Southern field ran from civic and commercial work to remote high-country builds. But it was the compact, considered family home that defined the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes entries. A standout was Garden House by Sarah Ritchie in Wānaka, a compact 111-square-metre home for a family of four. The jury praised its thoughtful use of recycled and repurposed materials, and with high insulation and triple glazing it performs as well as it looks, proof that a smaller footprint need not
mean compromising on comfort. It took a Resene Colour Award alongside its housing win. RTA Studio’s Two Sheds, near Arrowtown, made architecture from the familiar form of the rural corrugated-iron shed. The jury credited the careful handling of cladding and window details, resolved with clarity and precision, while inside the plan centres on a large circular fireplace beneath oversized exposed timber beams. A second shed holds the bedrooms and a generous lounge, linked to the main living space across a sheltered courtyard. The Alterations and Additions category rewarded work on existing homes. Crosson Architects won for the reworking of a house on a prime Lake Hayes site, a full reclad in local schist that modernised the home while tying it firmly to its setting. Pointy Flat House by Chaney and Norman Architects at Hāwea Flat was also recognised.
22 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
The jury credited the careful handling of cladding and window details, resolved with clarity and precision.
Two Sheds - RTA Studio Photos by Samuel Hartnett
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“The work quality has been exceptionally high, showcasing meticulous attention to detail, technical precision, and thoughtful design.” - Andrea O’Connor, of Oakley Gray Architects
The rest of the housing field ran deep, from a cluster of Arrowtown winners including Courtyard House by Anna-Marie Chin Architects to Rare Earth in Wānaka and Māori Point Road House out at Tarras. Across them ran a consistent strength, homes shaped by a careful read of sun, wind and site, and built to sit comfortably in a landscape of cold winters and bright, dry summers. In the Small Project category, Sharlene Browning’s Bragato Way Residence in Cromwell, profiled in full elsewhere in this issue, took an award alongside Aluume Spa in Queenstown. Orchard House by Fearon Hay Architects in Queenstown collected the housing category’s second Resene Colour Award. Jury convenor Andrea O’Connor, of Oakley Gray Architects, said
Orchard House - Fearon Hay Architects Photos by David Straight
24 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
the volume and quality of residential entries reflected a rethink of how people want to live. “The work quality has been exceptionally high, showcasing meticulous attention to detail, technical precision, and thoughtful design,” she said. O’Connor was joined on the jury by Lianne Cox of Studio Pacific Architecture, Regan Hall of McCoy and Wixon Architects, and Ben Hudson of Ben Hudson Architects. The takeaway for anyone building in the district runs right through the winners. Design for the climate rather than around it, let a compact, well-insulated footprint do the work of a larger one, and lean on materials that belong to the place. On these sites, that trio does more for a home than square metres ever will.
Lake Hayes House - Crosson Architects Photos by Simon Devitt
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Celebrating the best
in timber design
Air New Zealand’s Hangar 4, designed by Studio Pacific Architecture, has claimed the Resene Supreme Award, the highest honour at this year’s Timber Design Awards, at the 51st Gala Dinner hosted by Timber Unlimited.
Lavericks Bay Retreat, Studio Now, Photo by Mickey Ross
Te Whare Whakatere Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, Athfield Architects Ltd, Lightforge, Photo by Johannes van Kan
The judging panel called the project a benchmark achievement, praising its blend of innovation and engineering elegance. Built using a combination of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and cross-laminated timber (CLT), Hangar 4 showcases timber’s environmental credentials, seismic resilience and corrosion resistance, offering a lighter alternative in a building sector traditionally dominated by steel. The project also picked up the Nelson Pine Commercial & Industrial Building Design Award (jointly with Kai Tahi, Porirua) and the Rothoblaas Innovative Timber Engineering Award. This year’s awards drew 132 entries across 52 projects, with 17 category winners and 11
211 High Street, Ignite Architects, Jono Parker, Photo by Dennis Radermacher
28 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
The Simpson Strong-Tie People’s Choice Award went to 211 High Street, submitted by Ignite Architects, after more than 700 votes were cast during a 48-hour public voting window; a sign of the growing public interest in timber construction.
Highly Commended projects recognised on the night. Other standout winners included AUT Tukutuku by Jasmax, which took out both the Abodo Sustainable Development Award and the Red Stag Mid-Rise Building Design Award. The University of Auckland featured prominently across the student and innovation categories, with James Corles winning the Timber Design Society Student Design Award for Grainform, and Anthony Hōete recognised in the Spec Toolbox Innovative Timber Manufacturing & Technology Award for Whare Mīmirū, a seismically resilient structure incorporating Māori post-tensioning techniques. The Build Anatomy International Project Award was jointly awarded to Red Stag Timberlab for its Timber Nets on Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel Project, and to PTL Structural + Fire for the Majuro ECC Sports Stadium in the Marshall Islands, recognising New Zealand timber expertise on the world stage.
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Te Whare Hononga by Tennent Brown Architects Photo by Andy Spain
Lavericks Bay Retreat, Studio Now, Photo by Mickey Ross
Other category winners included Partridge Jewellers in Queenstown (Interior Design Award), Summerset Milldale (Residential Design Award for Multi-Unit Residential Building), Te Whare Hononga by Tennent Brown Architects (Public & Community Building Award), University of Auckland B201 by Jasmax (Hybrid Building Award), and Living House by RTA Studio (Residential Design Award for Single Family Dwelling). Living House, RTA Studio, Paul Brandon, Photo by Simon Devitt
Te Whare Whakatere Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, Athfield Architects Ltd, Lightforge, Photo by Johannes van Kan Full results are available on the Timber Unlimited website. www.timberunlimited.co.nz
Daniel Scheibmair, Chair of Timber Unlimited, said the quality of entries reflected the growing maturity of New Zealand’s timber sector. “What stood out wasn’t just the quality of the winning projects, but the willingness of our industry to share knowledge so openly throughout the day. That’s how we continue to grow confidence in timber and deliver even better outcomes for clients and communities,” he said. A lighter moment on the night saw native seedling table
Timber’s environmental credentials, seismic resilience and corrosion resistance offer a lighter alternative in a sector traditionally dominated by steel.
centrepieces, sponsored by PEFC New Zealand, given away to attendees at the end of the evening. Every seedling found a new home. Timber Unlimited thanked judges Tom Webster, Katie Symons, Huia Reriti and David Carradine, along with sponsors Resene, Simpson Strong-Tie, Red Stag, XLAM, Techlam, Prolam, Rothoblaas, Build Anatomy, Nelson Pine, Abodo, Spec Toolbox, Eurotec, Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA and the Timber Design Society for their ongoing support of the awards and the industry.
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The new rules of home design Two dishwashers, walls of shoe storage, rooms built to hide the toaster — builders are designing around how people really live. The family home is being reorganised around how people really live, not how the floor plan says they should. Builders are fielding requests that would have raised eyebrows a decade ago: two dishwashers, walls of shoe storage, rooms built purely to hide the toaster. Matt Jackson, managing director of David Reid Homes Australia, says the common thread is practicality. “People are designing homes around how they actually live rather than following traditional design rules,” he says. The forces driving it? Adult children staying home longer, the squeeze on usable space, the cost of every extra square metre.
Much of the shift traces back to who’s under the roof. Adult children are staying home longer, saving for a deposit, or moving back with partners and children of their own while they build or buy. “Many homes now need to function for five or six people rather than the traditional family of four,” Jackson says.
Matt Jackson
New builds are more compact thanks to higher costs. Stats NZ data shows the median floor area of newly consented homes has fallen by about 10% from 176m² in 2014 to 158m² in 2024. Similarly, renovations now focus less on adding floor area and more on reworking existing space to improve storage, circulation and everyday function.
That means more storage, larger pantries, extra bathrooms and flexible living. It also explains the double dishwasher: one in the main kitchen, a second in the butler’s pantry, so one can run while the other is loaded. “For people who entertain regularly or have adult children living at home, it can make life significantly easier.” The bigger casualty is wasted space. Homeowners are stripping out long corridors and giving the metres back to linen cupboards, mud rooms and full-
height storage walls. Study and computer nooks are tucked into hallway cupboards, usable when needed, hidden when not. “Storage has become one of the most valuable commodities in modern home design,” Jackson says. Shoe collections get the same treatment, with entire walls turned over to display-andstorage systems organised by sight and colour. What used to be a wardrobe shelf is, in some homes, now a design feature in its own right. Kitchens are getting cleaner by sending the mess elsewhere. The pantry is evolving into a dedicated appliance room behind the kitchen, a home for the coffee machine, air fryer, toaster and blender, kept at bench height so nobody’s kneeling into a low cupboard to drag one out.
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“The quirky trends of today often become the standard features of tomorrow.” - Matt Jackson, managing director of David Reid Homes Australia
“Everything is still accessible, it’s just hidden from view,” Jackson says. Pets are getting their own consideration, with built-in washing and feeding stations and cabinetry pet doors increasingly drawn in at the design stage rather than added later. Homes that impress have their place and always will, but homes must also work. “People still want beautiful homes, but they want every square metre to work harder,” Jackson says. The features worth the money are usually the ones that solve a daily problem, not the ones that photograph well. As Jackson puts it, “the quirky trends of today often become the standard features of tomorrow.”
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Great architecture does both Photo by Sam Larkin
Siân Taylor is an award-winning sustainable architect, consultant, activist and keynote speaker. One of New Zealand’s first Passive House certified architects, the Team Green Architects co-founder says good architecture shouldn’t force us to choose between performance and design. What makes a great architect great, and why? Great architects help a client uncover what is most important to them, and then translate that into a building which will not only function in ways they have not expected, but will look beautiful and uplift their soul.
Photo by Sam Larkin
What makes New Zealand architecture stand out? Because New Zealand is a relatively new country, and growing, we have the freedom here to create new, interesting buildings without the boundaries (generally speaking) of a strict planning process. Architects here, I’ve found, are able to flourish in ways I don’t see in other parts of the world. I think it’s partly this freedom and partly the Kiwi culture, which promotes ‘punching above our weight’ in many areas — arts, food, wine, sport. We are encouraged to care about creating good work!
Siân Taylor
What central values do you hold, and why? I feel strongly that our buildings should be healthy, comfortable, low energy and durable, to stand the test of time. A building which is purely focused on form, and doesn’t take care of its inhabitants or the environment, will ultimately be knocked down — and this is so wasteful, it upsets me greatly.
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Photo by Sam Hartnett
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How does one develop a sense of architectural style? As we have never consciously set out to develop a particular architectural style, I’m not sure I can answer that directly. For us, it is more important to understand proportion, materials and detailing, and to create spaces that work well for the people using them. At the same time, we are always considering the overall form of the building, how it responds to the site, and how it sits within its wider environment. Over time, those decisions tend to create a consistent body of work, but it is a result of the design process rather than a style we are deliberately trying to achieve. What are some unexpected ways to bring design drama and interest? Understanding light and space is one of the most powerful tools available, and it doesn’t necessarily have to cost a lot. The way natural light moves through a home during the day can completely transform how a space feels. I also think contrast is important. A deliberately darker, more intimate space can make a bright, light-filled room feel even more dramatic. Both spaces are enhanced by the presence of the other. Beyond that, good design comes from really understanding how
people will live in a home. Many houses fall short because they haven’t fully considered how people will inhabit the space. How will they move through it? Where will furniture go? Is there enough storage? Where does the TV sit? These things shouldn’t be afterthoughts. When the practical aspects are resolved well, the architecture has a much better chance of succeeding. What advice would you give budding architects, no matter their life stage? Pay attention to the buildings and spaces around you, and try to understand why they work. When you walk into a space that makes you stop and experience something, ask yourself why. Was it the quality of the light, the proportions, the view, the materials, or the way the space unfolded as you moved through it? What was it that made that moment memorable? Equally, pay attention to places that don’t work. Why do they feel uncomfortable, awkward or disappointing? What could have been done differently? Where are the biggest missed opportunities in sustainable architecture? I believe mandatory energy and carbon modelling of our buildings is one of the biggest opportunities we are currently missing. If we are serious about
Photos by Sam Hartnett
reducing the environmental footprint of the built environment, we need to start measuring what we are creating. Buildings and construction account for around 37% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions, and approximately 20% of New Zealand’s emissions. If we are to meet the climate commitments we have made as a country, this is an area we simply cannot ignore. The benefit is not just environmental. Better-performing buildings are healthier, more comfortable and often more affordable to operate. Sustainable design is ultimately about people, how they connect to their environment, and creating buildings that support wellbeing while using fewer resources. What do you see as the future of New Zealand architecture? I think the future of New Zealand architecture lies in creating buildings that respond appropriately to their environment. As a country, we
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“If we are serious about reducing the environmental footprint of the built environment, we need to start measuring what we are creating.” - Siân Taylor
still haven’t fully got this right. Too often we import ideas, forms and materials from elsewhere without considering whether they are suited to our climate, landscape and way of living. The buildings of the future need to be more responsive to their site, use less energy, be healthier for the people who live in them, and make better use of natural resources. At the same time, they should remain beautiful and uplifting places to be. Good architecture should not force us to choose between performance and design.
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More than joinery Creating spaces that bring people together A home is more than walls and a roof. It’s where families gather, celebrations are shared, and everyday moments become lifelong memories. The team at Mastercraft Kitchens by B&M Joinery believe great joinery should enhance the way people live. Every kitchen, scullery, laundry, wardrobe and bespoke cabinetry project they create is thoughtfully designed around the people who will use it every day. Founded in 2016 by husbandand-wife team Brendon and Kate Munro, Mastercraft Kitchens by B&M Joinery has grown into one of Central Otago’s leading bespoke joinery businesses, proudly designing, manufacturing and installing custom joinery throughout Cromwell, Queenstown, Wānaka, Alexandra and the wider Central Otago region. While Brendon and Kate continue to lead the business, they are the first to say its success belongs to the incredible team around them. From talented designers and detailers to skilled joiners, installers and support staff, every person plays an important role in creating exceptional
spaces and delivering an outstanding client experience. The team shares a common purpose — to create beautifully crafted joinery while making the building and renovation journey as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. It’s a culture built on respect, collaboration, pride in workmanship and genuinely caring about both one another and every client who walks through the showroom doors. That culture was recognised nationally in 2026 when Mastercraft Kitchens by B&M Joinery received the prestigious Myles Sellers Memorial Award for Workplace Culture. Presented by the Master Joiners Association, the award recognises businesses that demonstrate exceptional leadership, teamwork and a workplace where people genuinely enjoy coming to work. For Brendon and Kate, the award was particularly special because it recognised something they have always believed — that when you invest in your people, they invest in your clients. A happy, engaged team naturally delivers better communication, greater attention to detail and ultimately a better result for every homeowner.
That same commitment to excellence has also been recognised through awardwinning craftsmanship, including receiving the Best Regional Award at the 2025 Master Joiners Awards for one of the company’s bespoke kitchen projects. While industry recognition is humbling, it’s never been the reason the business exists. “Our greatest achievement is hearing a client say they love spending time in their new kitchen,” says Kate. “Knowing we’ve helped create a space where families come together is what makes everything worthwhile.” Every project begins with understanding the people behind the home. How do they cook? Do they entertain often? Do they need practical storage for a growing family? Are they creating their forever home or renovating an investment property? Those conversations shape every design decision, resulting in spaces that are not only visually stunning but beautifully functional for everyday living. The team specialises in custom kitchens, sculleries, laundries, wardrobes, vanities, home offices and architectural cabinetry. Every project is individually designed before being manufactured in B&M Joinery’s Cromwell workshop using a combination of skilled craftsmanship and modern precision manufacturing.
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However, it’s not the machinery that defines the business — it’s the people. From the designers who bring ideas to life, to the joiners who craft every cabinet, through to the installers who complete the finishing touches, everyone shares the same commitment to quality, attention to detail and genuine care for the finished result. Building or renovating can feel overwhelming, so the team works hard to make the process enjoyable. Clients are guided through every stage with honest advice, clear communication and realistic expectations, creating confidence from the initial design consultation through to handover. As proud members of Mastercraft Kitchens, Registered Master Joiners and the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association (NKBA), Mastercraft Kitchens by B&M Joinery is committed to continually raising the standard of craftsmanship, professionalism and customer experience. At the end of the day, beautiful cabinetry is only part of the story. What truly matters is creating spaces where families gather, conversations happen, milestones are celebrated and memories are made. That’s why Mastercraft Kitchens by B&M Joinery does what it does. Because the business isn’t just building kitchens. It’s helping people create homes they love coming home to.
Bespoke Joinery Tailored to Your Vision At B&M Joinery, we specialise in creating bespoke joinery solutions that elevate your space. Proudly based in Cromwell, we bring precision, passion, and attention to detail to every project.
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Two kinds of What you want from a local expert, what you want from a South Island-wide provider, and why the best projects use both.
know-how
From 27 November there is no more choice about it. Building consents lodged from that date have to use the sixth edition of H1, the Building Code’s energy efficiency rules, which has been running alongside the older fifth edition through a transition year. For a new home it sets the thermal performance required of roofs, walls, floors, windows and doors. What that means for your house depends entirely on where you put it. New Zealand is split into six climate zones, and the South Island spans three of them. The top of the island sits in zone 4, most of the island including Christchurch and the West Coast in zone 5, and Central Otago and the alpine interior in zone 6, the coldest. Required insulation values climb as the zones get colder. The same plan, built in Nelson and again near Queenstown, is not the same building. What only local knowledge can tell you That is the first argument for people who know your patch, and climate zone is only the start of it. The ground under the house, the way a site takes sun and wind, and the council you are dealing with all shift from one district to the next. Every council is its own building consent authority, with its own district plan over the top, and the rules in a lakeside or high-country district can look nothing like those in a provincial town. None of that comes out of a catalogue. It comes from designers, builders and tradespeople who have worked the area and know what a consenting officer will ask before they ask it.
What only scale can give you The other half of the job runs the opposite way. When it comes to what actually goes into the house, you want the weight of a business operating across the island and beyond. That shows up most clearly in product assurance. A product holding CodeMark certification has legal status equivalent to an Acceptable Solution, which means a building consent authority cannot challenge it. A BRANZ Appraisal is a different pathway, widely recognised but assessed on its own terms. Knowing which certificate a product carries, and keeping systems and detailing consistent from one job to the next, is routine for an established supplier and often beyond a oneoff operator.
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"The best projects combine local judgement with the certified products, consistent systems and long-term backing that come with scale."
The backing that outlasts the build
and still answering the phone in year eight.
Scale matters most after the builders leave. Residential building work costing thirty thousand dollars or more requires a written contract, and implied warranties under the Building Act cover residential work for up to ten years, whatever the contract happens to say. Those protections exist either way. What differs is whether the business that did the work is still trading, still stocking the same system
That is the real case for a provider with South Island reach. Not that they know your street better than a local, but that they will be there when a warranty is called on. The best projects use both. Local judgement about the site, the climate zone and the council, and the certified products, consistent systems and continuity that come with scale. Get that pairing right and the partnership outlasts the build.
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What office design trends teach Why the open-plan office is being rethought — and what that shift means for the way we design homes. How an office is designed has a major impact on the productivity and life of a business. A new trend has emerged. The openplan layouts that once symbolised collaboration and modern thinking are being reconsidered. @Workspaces is an Australian workplace design and office fit-out company providing commercial interiors, furniture, and end-to-end workspace solutions. CEO Brett McAllen says the open-plan environment has fallen out of favour. He says this change is being driven by a stronger expectation for workplaces to support both collaboration and concentration. While open-plan layouts are still common, they are increasingly being modified to better accommodate focused work and private conversations. “We continuously seek feedback on evolving workplace needs and demand for discreet phone spaces has emerged as one of the most important aspects of the workplace.”
McAllen says the absence of privacy can also directly affect how buildings perform in the market. Many businesses are now adapting existing open-plan offices rather than rebuilding from scratch, introducing phone spaces and privacy-focused addons into open-plan layouts. “Of course, this presents a challenge around cost, as open spaces are a much cheaper fitout,” he says. “However, the benefits outweigh the costs. More defined and discreet areas allow people to engage and participate in more comfortable ways.” Just as important is how these spaces are integrated into the wider office environment. The most successful examples are those that feel like a natural extension of the workplace design, rather than isolated or disruptive. Beyond privacy, acoustics is the most important factor, ensuring sound is contained and external noise is minimised. Ventilation is also critical to ensure comfort and usability over longer periods. The shift isn’t just limited to workspaces. It reflects a broader
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change in how people live and use space. For Kiwi homes, the key lesson is that open space alone is no longer enough. As homes take on work, study, and family life, privacy and quiet zones are increasingly important. Small, flexible spaces for calls or focus improve how a home functions. Acoustic control through insulation, rugs, and doors also matters more than layout alone. The best homes balance openness for connection with separation for concentration, rather than relying on fully open-plan living. The main lesson from office design is simple. Spaces work best when they can do more than one job. Instead of locking spaces into one use, more designs now include parts that can change as needed. Sliding walls, movable screens, and furniture that serves more than one purpose help rooms shift between group use
Brett McAllen
and quiet focus without major building work. Technology is also helping this change. Built-in power points, better Wi-Fi, and smarter lighting make it easier to create different zones in one open space. Whether it’s at work or at home, people need a mix of open areas for connection and quieter spots for focus, all within the same space.
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High standards The rules for building in South Canterbury have shifted this year, from the Mackenzie’s tight controls to a new consent exemption, and local know-how is what keeps a project on track. Building in the Mackenzie has never been busier, or more closely watched. The district has absorbed what its own spatial plans call “unprecedented and sustained levels of growth”, pressure that has “placed strains on the district’s communities, infrastructure, and environment”. The response has been some of the tightest development controls in the country. For anyone putting up a house between Tekapo and Twizel, that shows up in the detail. Rules govern how tall a building can be, with limits in some zones as low as five metres. They govern where it can sit, because the
basin’s open views are protected. They govern how it is lit, because this is the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. Parts of the basin even carry their own requirements for managing fault rupture hazard. At the coastal end of the region, the rulebook has just been rewritten. In March, Timaru District Council notified its decisions on the Proposed District Plan, resetting the provisions that govern subdivision and residential growth across the district. It lands as developers push ahead, with new subdivisions such as Parkside Ridge and a proposed ninetyhome development adding sections to the Timaru market.
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One national change matters to almost everyone. Since January, small dwellings of up to seventy square metres can be built without a building consent, a government move aimed at easing the housing shortage and cutting the cost and delay of consenting simple homes. For anyone weighing up a minor dwelling, a sleepout or a unit for family, it is a genuine opportunity. It also comes with a long list of conditions, and getting it wrong can bring enforcement action rather than a saving. Which is why local knowledge counts Three sets of rules across one region, and all of them moving. Add the physical differences and the case for local expertise makes itself. A home in Timaru and a home at Twizel are not the same problem. The coastal climate, the frosts and wind of
As the rules change, local expertise becomes the difference between a smooth build and an expensive setback.
the inland basin, and the intense light of the high country all ask different things of a house, and the orientation, insulation and cladding that suit one part of the region can be wrong for another. Builders, designers and tradespeople who work across South Canterbury understand those differences, and the rules that come with them, in a way no generic plan can. That knowledge carries right through to the finish, from the joinery and the flooring to the benchtop under the morning coffee. With building activity across Canterbury at its strongest in years, it is the most valuable thing on any project’s list.
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How to create a
gravel fire-pit retreat Transform an overgrown corner into a relaxed gathering space with gravel, stone, planting and a fire bowl — clear, cover and furnish for a low-maintenance spot to gather year-round.
What you will need • Gardening gloves • Spade and garden fork • Wheelbarrow • Garden rake • Pump sprayer, if treating persistent weeds • Large natural stones for the border • Cardboard sheets (a great free weed mat)
Step 1:
Step 5:
Clear the area Remove furniture, pull weeds and unwanted plants, fork out roots — keep mature perimeter planting for shelter.
Plant and backfill Plant at container depth, backfill, firm gently, water in well, leaving room for growth.
Step 2:
Step 6:
Remove persistent weeds Dig out or spot-treat remaining weeds and runners, or smother roots with cardboard (or salt) chemical-free. Step 3:
• Two or three architectural plants
Define the new border Lay large stones along the edge, mixing sizes and partially burying larger ones for a natural look.
• Compost or planting mix
Step 4:
• Stepping stones or flat pavers
Prepare the planting positions Choose spots for architectural plants (cordylines, cabbage trees) around the perimeter, clear of movement and fire views; dig holes slightly wider than each root ball.
• Grey garden pebbles or decorative gravel
• Outdoor chairs • A freestanding fire bowl • Firewood
Lay the cardboard base Cover soil with flattened, labelfree cardboard, overlapped generously with gaps at each stem; weigh down if breezy. Step 7:
Add the gravel Wheelbarrow gravel over the cardboard from the far point back, raking until fully covered. (Measure your area first so you order enough gravel). Step 8:
Level the surface Rake evenly, clear of stems, smoothing any low spots or tracks.
Step 9:
Create a pathway Set a few stepping stones in a soft, staggered line, bedded securely. Step 10:
Arrange the seating Place two or three chairs — timber Adirondack-style works well — facing the centre, clear of smoke, with room to move. Step 11:
Add the fire bowl Centre a metal fire bowl on a stable surface clear of plants and branches; use only dry, untreated firewood per its instructions. Fire safety Check local restrictions, keep water or an extinguisher nearby, never leave it unattended, fully extinguish before leaving — gravel isn’t fireproof once debris collects, so supervise children and pets closely. Styling the space Grey pebbles keep it calm and neutral so chairs and bold foliage stand out; add subtle solar lighting in the evening, keeping the fire as the focal point.
Before
After
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CLUB WAIMEA Club Waimea is a friendly place for Members to meet up with friends and family & guests. Affiliated Clubs NZ Members are also welcome to use our facilities. With over 14 sporting sections, various entertainment each week, weddings, work place training etc.
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Is a smart home the smart choice? The best smart tech solves a real problem — the rest just impresses in the showroom. What’s worth wiring in, and what to skip. Walk into any home show and you’ll find plenty of gadgets promising to make your house ‘smarter’. But what does smart actually mean in this context? The best smart home technology should solve a problem, improve comfort, save energy or make everyday life easier. Some genuinely earn their place. A smart thermostat, automated heating system or video doorbell can add real convenience and security. But plenty of technology
is more impressive in the showroom than it is in everyday life. Knowing what to avoid can save money, complexity and future headaches. Smart lighting, blinds, ovens and even taps that respond to voice commands sound futuristic, but the reality can be less seamless. Voice assistants can struggle with background noise, multiple users or accents, turning a simple instruction into a frustrating back-and-forth. Voice control works best when it solves a specific problem, such as playing music, setting timers
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or controlling a few frequently used lights. Replacing every physical switch in the home with voice commands often adds complexity without much benefit. A light switch still works instantly, regardless of your internet connection or whether your assistant understands the request.
Smart fridges that track food levels and washing machines controlled through an app are classic examples of technology trying to solve problems many homeowners don’t have. Connected appliances often cost much more than standard models while
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relying on apps and software that may not be supported forever. A manufacturer update, discontinued service or forgotten password can turn a premium appliance into one with fewer useful features than expected. The same applies to committing an entire home to one brand’s ecosystem. A fully automated house controlled through one app can sound appealing, but it can create long-term risks. Companies change, subscriptions appear, product ranges are discontinued and technology moves quickly. A lighter approach is often more practical. Automate the things that genuinely improve daily life rather than adding sensors and controls simply because they are available. Keyless entry can be useful, especially for managing access for guests, cleaners or tradespeople, but smart locks should not replace basic
security measures. Battery failures, connectivity issues and software problems can create frustrations, while physical security features such as quality locks, strong doors and good lighting remain essential. A smart lock is best viewed as a convenience upgrade rather than the foundation of home security. The easiest smart home trend to skip is technology chosen because it is fashionable rather than useful. Before adding any device to a renovation plan, ask what problem it solves. A smart heating controller that lets you warm the house before arriving home has a clear benefit. A mirror that displays the weather may be entertaining, but it is unlikely to change how the home functions. Smart technology is most valuable when it improves everyday life unobtrusively. Worthwhile upgrades include programmable heating and
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| 57
Matakana Residence Good architecture should not be judged solely on the day it is completed, but on how well it serves those who live within it over time. Designed more than twentyfive years ago, the Matakana Residence was conceived around principles that have since become central to contemporary residential design: solar orientation, thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and a strong connection between home, site, and landscape. At a time when passive environmental design was not widely discussed in mainstream
residential architecture, the project sought to harness natural light, manage seasonal solar gain, and create comfortable living environments through thoughtful planning rather than reliance on technology alone. The design was developed from a simple belief: that a home should enhance everyday life. The arrangement of spaces, relationship to the landscape, and careful consideration of sunlight and shelter were all driven by the desire to create a home that would continue to perform for its occupants long after architectural trends had passed.
Southland Mortgage advice you can rely on
From first homes and new builds to refinance, and renovations
Gabbie Ernst Financial Adviser Mortgages
M: 027 466 3054 | gabbie.ernst@mortgagelink.co.nz
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HIGHER QUALITY BUILDING 3 New Builds 3 Bespoke Carpentry 3 Custom Installations 3 Renovations
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m 021 022 63311 k jack@pinnaclebuilders.co.nz
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Sustainable design is not defined by fashion or certification. It begins with understanding climate, place, and the people who will call a house home.
More than two decades later, the project remains a reminder that sustainable design is not defined by fashion or certification. It begins with understanding climate, place, and the people who will call a house home. The enduring relevance of the Matakana Residence lies not in its age, but in the timeless design principles upon which it was founded.
Affordable Concrete and Paving are Concrete and Asphalt Specialists located in Christchurch. We service the wider region which includes Rolleston, Rangiora and West Melton. For over 30 years, the family owned and operated team at Affordable Concrete & Paving have been providing exceptional value when it comes to concreting and asphalt in Christchurch. Whether it be concrete driveways, patios, paths, pool surrounds, playgrounds and car parks. We offer a full hard landscaping package to our commercial, civil and residential clients all over the Canterbury region.
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Built to belong The recent quakes near Te Anau are a reminder that homes in the Great South must both suit their spectacular setting and stand up to the ground beneath it.
When the magnitude 5.9 quake struck near Te Anau this winter, it rolled right across the lower South Island, and the aftershocks kept coming for days. “It was certainly a good shakeup,” said Fiordland Community Board chair Diane Holmes, whose own house rattled through it. Southland mayor Rob Scott reported minor damage to homes, mostly cracking, and no injuries, and the region counted itself lucky. It was also a reminder of what the Great South lives with. This is earthquake country. The lower South Island sits with the Alpine Fault, which GNS Science puts at around a 75% chance of rupturing within 50 years, most likely at magnitude 8 or above, and Fiordland shakes in its own right.
“It is really important that people are prepared beforehand,” says AF8 lead scientist Carol Orchiston, “because the more prepared you can be, the more comfortable your life will be afterwards.” For a homeowner, much of that preparation is the house itself, and the people who build it. Because building here is not like building anywhere else. From the fiords and mountains of the west to the tussock basins of Central Otago and the farmland of Southland, this is one of the most spectacular and demanding places in the country to put up a house. A home has to earn its place in that landscape, and it has to stand up to a hard climate and a restless ground. Getting both right is not a job for a generic plan and a nationwide spec. It takes people who know the region.
62 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
One team, every system From new builds to renovations and ongoing maintenance, Dawson Electrical works across homes of all shapes and stages. The Southland-based electrical company is built on doing things properly: showing up when they say they will, communicating clearly, and delivering work that’s practical, tidy, and suited to the way people actually live in their homes. Their core work covers the full scope of residential electrical services, including new home wiring, renovation and alteration work, lighting design and installation, switchboard upgrades, general maintenance, fault finding, and safety and compliance checks. They also bring heat pump installation and servicing into the mix, along with refrigeration capability, which isn’t something you see in every electrical company. Instead of juggling multiple contractors, clients can deal with
one team that understands how the electrical and mechanical systems in a home fit together. It keeps projects moving more smoothly and reduces the usual back-and-forth that can slow things down. There’s also a strong focus on helping homeowners think long-term. Whether it’s improving energy efficiency, upgrading heating and cooling, or modernising electrical systems, Dawson Electrical leans into solutions that make homes more comfortable and costeffective to run. What sets them apart is less about one standout service and more about how it all comes together: a mix of technical range, hands-on experience, and a straightforward, no-fuss approach. Backed by ongoing training and up-to-date industry knowledge, they’re positioned as a single, reliable point of contact for electrical and energy work across Southland.
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A landscape that asks a lot The best homes down south look like they belong. They take their cues from the site, the light and the materials of the place, and they sit into the land rather than perch on top of it. That is a design skill, and a local one. A designer who works in the region knows how a house should
meet a lake edge, a slope or an exposed high-country flat, and how to make it beautiful without fighting the setting. The same knowledge protects the home. The materials that suit this landscape are usually the ones that handle its weather and its ground as well. A roof detailed
and fixed for southern wind, cladding chosen to weather decades of frost and sun, joinery and services built to last. In a region like this, the choices that make a home look right and the choices that make it last are often the same choices, and both come down to good advice and good product. The build is your real protection
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When the ground moves, it is the quality of the build that carries a home through. The standard Kiwi timber-framed house already has a head start, because light, simple, well-connected structures flex and ride out shaking rather than fighting it. But that performance is not automatic. It lives in the details. Foundations matched to the actual site, framing tied together properly, a subfloor braced for the ground it sits on, a roof fixed down to stay put. None of that comes off a shelf. It is skilled work, and it is where a builder and an engineer who understand local ground earn their keep. This is the heart of it. In earthquake country, the people you choose are part of your home’s resilience. A builder who knows the region’s soils, a designer who plans for the way it shakes, an engineer who checks the things you cannot see, and trades who do careful work behind the linings. That is what
stands between a good home and an expensive one after a quake. The simple things are yours to do Alongside the work for the professionals, there is plenty a homeowner can do. Most quake injuries come from falling objects rather than failing buildings, so securing the heavy things is worth a weekend. Anchor tall furniture, bookshelves and wardrobes to the wall framing with straps or brackets, fit latches to cupboards that hold glass or china, and secure the television and mirrors. Have a plumber strap the hot water cylinder so a fall cannot flood the house, and learn where to shut off the gas, water and power. Small jobs, real payoff. Renovating is the moment to get it right If you are planning work, you are holding the best opportunity you will get. A renovation opens the walls and floor, which is the cheapest moment to strengthen what is behind them, whether that is bracing and connections, a tired subfloor, or an unsound brick chimney on an older home. It is also the moment to bring in the right people. Good local builders and designers will fold resilience into the work almost invisibly, at a fraction of what the same jobs cost on their own, and leave you with a home that is both better looking and better built.
The best homes down south look like they belong. They take their cues from the site, the light and the materials of the place, and they sit into the land rather than perch on top of it. That is a design skill, and a local one. Know your cover Check where you stand, too. Most insured New Zealand homes carry natural disaster cover through the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, formerly EQC, as part of a house policy that includes fire insurance. Make sure yours is current, and keep a few photos of the house somewhere safe in case you ever need to make a claim. The quakes near Te Anau were a nudge, not a crisis. But they are a reminder of what building in the Great South has always asked. A home here has to belong to an extraordinary landscape and stand up to the ground beneath it. Building with people who understand both is how you end up with a home that does.
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| 65
Exotic statement plants take root Sculptural cacti, tropical foliage and architectural species are being used like furniture — but will they actually thrive in your home? Our native plants are iconic, beautiful and deserve to be celebrated. Yet a different trend is taking root inside New Zealand homes: the rise of exotic statement plants. Sculptural cacti, tropical foliage and architectural species are being used almost like pieces of furniture, adding shape, texture and personality to renovated spaces. But are these overseasinspired plants the right fit for your home? Much of the appeal comes down to design. Modern homes often feature clean lines, natural materials and large open spaces, creating the perfect backdrop for a single dramatic plant. A carefully chosen specimen can soften hard surfaces, fill an empty corner or become a focal point in the same way as artwork, lighting or furniture. Cacti are among the most popular choices because they combine strong visual impact with low maintenance. A tall Cereus, branching Euphorbia or large barrel cactus brings sculptural form without demanding constant attention. Unlike some indoor plants that need regular watering, humidity control and careful positioning, many cacti thrive with minimal care, making them well suited to busy households.
The same applies to other exotic statement plants. Bird of Paradise can bring a tropical feel to bright living areas, while fiddle-leaf figs and rubber plants add bold foliage and a sense of scale. Snake plants and hardy succulents offer architectural shapes while tolerating lessthan-perfect conditions, making them practical choices for many renovated homes.
wider interior palette. The right container can complement timber, stone, neutral finishes or more colourful design choices.
The biggest consideration is not the plant itself, but whether the conditions suit it. Many exotic indoor plants originate from warmer climates and need plenty of natural light. In Kiwi homes, north-facing windows, glazed living spaces and indoor-outdoor connections can provide ideal conditions. Dark corners and poorly lit rooms, however, may leave even the most fashionable plant struggling.
One well-placed specimen can transform a room far more effectively than a collection of forgotten pots scattered throughout the house.
Placement also matters. A statement plant should have room to breathe and be positioned where its shape can be appreciated. Entryways, living room corners, spaces beside large windows and areas near staircases are often effective locations. High-traffic areas should be avoided, particularly for spiky varieties where daily contact can quickly become frustrating. The planter is part of the design too. A large plant in a quality ceramic, terracotta or concrete pot feels intentional and helps connect the greenery with the
66 | www.buildandrenovate.co.nz
There are also practical considerations for our nation’s homes. Older villas and character houses can be cooler and
draughtier, which often suits hardy species such as cacti and succulents. Renovations that improve insulation, heating and glazing can create warmer, more stable indoor environments, allowing homeowners to experiment with a wider range of tropical plants. While exotic statement plants may not replace the importance of native planting outdoors, they offer another way to bring nature into the home. The best choices are not simply the trendiest varieties, but plants that suit the light, layout and lifestyle of the people living with them. One well-placed specimen can transform a room far more effectively than a collection of forgotten pots scattered throughout the house.
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