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Our Projects
WHAREKAHO BEACH HOUSE,
COROMANDEL
Nestled on the water's edge, this project was all about embracing simplicity and celebrating connection. The brief was clear: take full advantage of the breathtaking views while creating a neutral “restful” palette keeping with a beach bach vibe. A hub for gatherings and entertaining, designed with the future in mind as a full-time residence.
The home had to withstand the challenges of its exposed coastal environment, remain low maintenance, and make efficient use of space to minimise its footprint. Simplicity was key—our client wanted a seamless process with no unexpected surprises along the way.
This custom design kept the same barn shape and simple rectangle design, as these timeless elements not only look great but also help keep engineering and design costs low. For the exterior, we opted for Colorsteel cladding—a durable, low-maintenance choice perfect for a coastal environment.
The house sits on screw piles, meaning we broke ground and had the floor built in just a couple of days—a huge time-saver!
At 150m², it’s a modest home, but thoughtful design choices have made it feel both spacious and inviting. We used scissor trusses for the high ceiling effect without the expense of beams and rafters, and this gave the house a light, open vibe while sticking to the budget.
For this project we were particularly proud of the timeline— we completed the build in just five months, with only two guys working four days a week. Building in a new area also brought the challenge of engaging and coordinating with new subcontractors, but we were able to pull it off successfully. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and have loved to hear that our client is enjoying her new home.
“I loved the whole experience - the onsite meetings were a highlight, such a lovely team. Communication is key, and Sam and Paige have always been prompt to respond to my messages, nothing was too much trouble. I can’t recommend them highly enough!”
- Client Testimonial
Custom T-shaped barn home, coming soon…
The Point - Point Wells
North Auckland
THE ORIGINAL BARN,
HIKUWAI LANE | WARKWORTH NORTH AUCKLAND
Where it all started…
Our original 'modern barn' design, where spaces are connected meaningfully and functionally, allowing for versatile usage options during the planning stages.
Modern Barn Living was born from our passion for smart, simple design and our love for modern, yet classic architecture. It all started when we were running our building and renovation company, Wilco Projects, and decided to take on a personal project—building our first home in Warkworth. With our experience in the industry, we knew we wanted to keep the design straightforward and efficient. By sticking to a simple rectangle shape, we were able to cut down on engineering and structural costs, speed up the build, and stay within our budget.