March 11, 2025
Condon Scott Architects has shared photos of a small one-bedroom home they designed that measures in at just 323 square feet (30sqm).
Located on a quiet suburban street in Wanaka, New Zealand, the compact home is defined by a simple gable form and a sturdy black rain screen.
The external cladding is restrained but functional, combining asphalt shingles and larch weatherboards.
Passive heating and cooling were considered from the outset, and minimal openings to the east, south, and west preserve the thermal envelope. Constructed using SIPs panels and using passive house principles, the SIPs panels are taped sealed and wrapped in a secondary layer of building paper and ply to maximise thermal efficiency.
Even though the home is small, none of the essentials of a larger home are missing. The house has a full kitchen, bedroom area and living space. The double height volume with its glazed facade creates a sense of airiness and space. There is room for artwork, a full sized fridge, two large couches and a coffee table.
The design concept was envisioned as a crafted joinery box with no wasted space. Spring-back drawers pull out of each step tread and more storage is concealed under the kitchen joinery in the toe space. The bathroom is located off the kitchen and the bedroom is located upstairs.
You can watch a short video of the home here:
Here’s a look at the architectural drawings for the home.
Photography by Simon Larkin | Architecture firm: Condon Scott Architects | Architect: Barry Condon
Source: Contemporist
