Housing shortages and a fast-growing population in New Zealand create a desperate need for thoughtfully designed medium density housing that is low maintenance, long lasting, sensitive to the natural world and genuinely enjoyable to live in.

Designed and built using modular construction, the homes took only three months to complete – from foundations, to landing the modules, to interior fit-out and site finishings.

Two three-bedroom townhouses front the street, while three two-bedroom homes nestle under the pines at the back.

Simple yet striking architectural forms reference the surrounding neighbourhood and bring a contemporary twist to the streetscape.

Previously occupied by a single residential dwelling, these five new homes step carefully around two majestic Norfolk pines and capture views out towards Walker Park.

At the front, the homes maximise northern exposure into the living and bedroom spaces.

The raised floor level elevates the eye-line over the street and directly into the park.

Timber battens define the frontage and act as privacy screens, maintaining natural light.

The development prioritises both public and private space – each unit has its own private outdoor space as well as lines of sight and ease of access into the park.

Residents can watch their children play in the park, or entertain under the shelter of the majestic pines.

The modules were built complete with bathrooms and floor coverings in the Smart Solution Homes factory in Henderson before being trucked to site.

The process lowers the overall embodied carbon of the project.

Construction waste is significantly minimised by designing to material sheet sizes, and costs are lowered by less time needed on site.

The construction industry remains one of the world’s biggest polluters, so using modern technology to offset carbon emissions where possible is essential for the industry’s future.

It’s uncompromising, comfortable living within a low maintenance, sustainable envelope – design that looks to Auckland’s future, and asks, how can we do things differently, better, than before?