Takahē New Build – Ngāhinapōuri, Waikato

Sophie's parents own a large lifestyle block out near Ngāhinapōuri, and used a transferable title arrangement in the Waipā district to free up a section for Sophie + Simon to build on. It meant the couple could put down roots close to family, on a piece of land that suited exactly what they had in mind.

At the time, Sophie + Simon were starting to think about a family of their own – and have since welcomed a newborn. They wanted a modern home with room to grow into that next chapter, and came to the project with a design already in hand from Our Projects: the Takahē, a three-bedroom, U-shaped home built around two linked, gable-roofed pavilions.

It also turned out to be the project that fully brought Our Projects into the Waikato. Simon is part of the team, and when he and Sophie decided to build, it was the perfect opportunity to extend the business south – especially given the Strawbridge family's long-standing ties to the area with their father's farm based there.

The Build

New builds tend to be a far smoother ride than taking on complicated projects (such as villa and bungalow renovations), and this one was no different. Knowing the area well meant the OP team could plan ahead with confidence – expecting a waffle or floating slab foundation, for example, and budgeting for the building performance changes that have come in recently, with external wall framing moving from 90mm to 140mm. Firth's HotEdge slab insulation was used against the concrete slab to close off the cold spot where slab meets wall, keeping the home warmer and drier without any compromise on the design.

The Design

Takahē, designed by The Architecture People, takes the shape of two linked pavilions under gable roofs, joined by a central connector that houses the entry. The kitchen and dining space is the standout: a skillion roof lifts the ceiling and brings in extra light, with oak joinery, a butler's pantry tucked just off to the side, and a freestanding wood burner keeping the open living area cosy through winter.

The master suite has its own ensuite and walk-in robe, while the family bathroom carries the same quiet, considered feel – a floating walnut vanity, freestanding tub, and a frameless, level-entry walk-in shower, with underfloor heating running through. A second lounge sits tucked near the bedrooms, giving the household a quieter spot away from the main living area. Outside, vertical board cladding wraps both pavilions, weathering naturally to a soft grey-brown that will only settle further into the Waikato landscape over time.

The Result

Sophie, Simon, and now their young child have a home built around exactly where they are in life – close to family, with room to grow, and nothing left to fix or finish. It's a pretty nice feeling for a builder to move into a brand-new home that doesn't need any work – just ready to live in.

Keen to learn more about Takahē? Click here for the floor plans and costings – and remember, we can always tweak the design to suit your section and lifestyle.