Project: Cambrians Cabin Extension 

Spring 2025

Tucked away in the rugged hills of North Otago sits a small 30 m² off-grid cabin with big ambitions. The owners — resourceful, hands-on, and full of good energy — are doing much of the work themselves. My kind of people.

We’ve designed two new 32 m² wings to open up the living space, bringing in more light and room for family life. The brief was simple: keep it affordable, make it look good, and add a few touches of character without pushing the budget.

One early challenge was a low 2-metre ceiling that made the space feel more like a cave than a cabin. Lifting it to 2.2 metres doesn’t sound dramatic, but it completely changes how the space feels — proof that small moves can make a big difference.

It’s now out for building consent and pricing, and I’m excited to see it take shape. Projects like this remind me why I love what I do — thoughtful design, good people, and the satisfaction of creating something special from something small.