Michael and Lydia approached us looking to build their new home in Te Anau. Initially, they had engaged an architect in Wanaka and were excited to see their beautiful design come to life.

However, that excitement was short-lived. When their builders returned with updated costings to construct the home locally, the budget was exceeded significantly.

Unfortunately, this is a story we hear all too often - designs evolving through multiple changes, rising labour rates and material costs, bespoke craftsmanship requirements, difficulty sourcing materials in remote locations, a shortage of high-performance-focused trades, and increasingly complex consent processes.

In a case of perfect alignment, we had delivered an Arbol Pohutukawa to the Walker residence in 2025. Michael, a local geotechnical engineer, had been involved in the ground testing for that project. After visiting the completed Walker home, Michael and Lydia immediately recognised that an Arbol home aligned with what they were searching for.

They were drawn to:

  • High-performance design and construction
  • Carefully selected materials to improve occupant health and reduce environmental impact
  • A layout that delivered similar size, bedrooms, and aesthetics to their original vision

By leveraging our in-house design team, curated plans, and flexible finishing options-combined with our experienced build team, trusted suppliers, and skilled subcontractors-we were able to deliver a solution that met both their vision and their budget.

 


The home’s palette is anchored by the rich depth of ColorCote Scoria, paired with sustainably sourced LMA spotted gum in a clear finish to celebrate its natural texture and grain. The deep, earthy red tones of Scoria ground the home in the Central and Lower South landscape, while the spotted gum introduces warmth and refinement that will continue to evolve beautifully over time.

Together, these materials create a modern interpretation of the iconic New Zealand cottage aesthetic
timeless, honest, and deeply connected to place.

Internally, the material story softens and expands into a calming, nature-led palette. Subtle greens and blues reflect the surrounding Te Anau environment, creating a sense of calm and continuity throughout the home.

Birch ply ceilings bring a warm, light tone with natural grain and fine detail, enhancing the sense of volume and texture within the living spaces. This is complemented by timber reveals in clear finish, adding depth and quiet contrast while celebrating simple, honest construction.

The result is a cohesive material language inside and out
a home that feels grounded, natural, and enduring, while delivering a high level of comfort, health, and performance.