Make’s Prefab ‘Karangahake House’ Was Inspired By NZ Hiking Shelters
New Zealand’s vast landscapes have enamored many a traveler, and the country’s beauty is second to none. But what happens when you’re looking to start a new life in the mountainous regions of the locale’s Waihi island? For a young couple interested in this very prospect, Make Architects’ sustainable, prefabricated Karangahake House was an attractive option.
Nestled beneath the Karangahake forest and Kaimai mountain range, the aptly-named Karangahake House is a sobering sight for many of New Zealand’s more culturally-aware denizens. The simplistic, 1,076 square-foot structure is inspired by the country’s “trampers huts” — small, optimized shelters used by thru-hikers and adventurers. Instead of channeling energy from urban living areas and more robust architectural projects, Make decided that Waihi’s remote ideology called for a different approach, allowing them to elaborate on the ideas of interconnectivity, simplistic living, and nostalgic memory. After a six-month certification and design process, the Karangahake House was shipped (and assembled on-site) in under four days, giving its owners a serene environment to enjoy one another’s company. A small living area provides just enough space for social interaction and intimacy, while an “outdoor room” and interconnecting deck space allow for panoramic appreciation of the countryside’s idyllic surroundings.
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