Home Built for Climate, Cost, and Comfort

How one family designed a forest home without relying on artificial heating or high incomes.

High above the coastline of Pataua North, on a sun-facing hilltop surrounded by native forest, sits a home that makes the most of very little. Built by a family who once spent five years living off-grid in a tiny house, it reflects a set of deeply considered values: live close to nature, live within your means, and make space for gathering.

The home designed by Brett Hulley is made up of two timber-framed pods under a single canopy-style roof. It’s not large, but the structure feels generous thanks to the covered outdoor living area in the center. This space is where the family spends most of their time—cooking, entertaining, watching the sunrise, or just being in the weather. In the wet winters, the roof keeps the area usable. In summer, it blocks the high sun while letting breezes move through freely.

The northern pod contains the kitchen, dining, and living area, with a deck that stretches out toward a view of forested hills. At night, it’s ideal for stargazing; in winter, it catches the morning sun. The southern pod holds the bedrooms and a bathroom. A short walk away, tucked into the bush, a separate deck houses the shower and laundry—another decision that reflects the practical, nature-integrated ethos of the design.

Construction relied on locally grown FSC-certified pine and native timbers harvested directly from the site. The entire home was designed using standard material dimensions to reduce waste and cost—pods measure 6.0 by 3.6 meters (19.7 by 11.8 feet), and eaves extend 1.2 meters (3.9 feet). Passive solar strategies govern every move: east- and north-facing glass for morning warmth, deep eaves to block high summer sun, high-level and cross-ventilation windows for airflow, and enough insulation to avoid the need for artificial heating or cooling.

This build isn’t slick. It’s smart. With modest means and a deep appreciation for place, this family created something both humble and remarkable: a home that opens up to the sky and slows time just enough to feel it.

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Takeaways for Cabin Builders

• Split the footprint: Dividing the plan into separate pods keeps indoor space focused and costs low while expanding outdoor usability.

• Canopy roof = outdoor room: In climates like coastal New Zealand, a large covered outdoor area can function as your primary living space.

• Design to the sheet: Working with standard material sizes—like 1.2-meter (3.9-foot) eaves—saves time, money, and waste.

• Build what you know: After years living tiny, the family had clarity on their real needs—space to gather, cook, and connect with nature.

• Shower under the trees: Moving laundry and bathing outside opens up the interior and brings the forest into your daily rhythm.

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Photo by Phillip Capper.

For Travelers

Pataua North is a quiet coastal community about 30 minutes east of Whangārei on New Zealand’s North Island. Ringed by dense native bush and dramatic coastline, the area offers excellent surf, protected swimming spots, and long walks through kauri forest. The mild climate—hot summers, wet winters—makes outdoor living viable year-round. Stock up in Whangārei, but plan to stay put once you arrive. The real draw here is the stillness of the bush, the rise of the sun over the sea, and the long horizon line of the Pacific.

All photos and videos, unless otherwise noted, courtesy of Brett Hulley.