Compact brilliance

Hemmed in by a bank and a creek at the bottom of a gully in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, a three-level gem defies conventional design, making a bold architectural statement. Occupying a mere 34m² footprint, this diamond-shaped home reaches upwards to capture breathtaking views of Otago Harbour.

Embracing the environmentally conscious homeowners’ brief, the house is built using energy-efficient Formance Structural Insulated Panels. These were prefabricated off site, craned into place, and assembled by Dallas Shaw and his team from D S Building Limited. Vertical ebony COLORSTEEL® coupled with horizontal cedar weatherboards contributes to the exterior charm, while a generous 26m² deck almost doubles the home’s central living area.

As you step inside, the intimate interior unfolds, with timber and okoume ply throughout. The staircase spirals up to the master bedroom, where a large picture window frames scenes of towering trees and views of the water. “The window is my favourite aspect of the home,” says the owner. “With the sky and light constantly changing, there is always a fresh vista.”

Dubbed ‘the tree house’, the property reflects a commitment to comfortable, sustainable living, with practical spaces like a utility room and garage on the lower level and inviting living areas above. Given the property’s restricted site, the design masterfully uses irregular lines and angles to overcome its spatial limitations. “With only three 90-degree angles in the home,” Dallas says, “the sheer number of unique intersections made for a challenging build. I have constructed a lot of houses, but this home will always stand out in my mind as a very special project.”

Location: Dunedin | Otago

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