Location: Hāwea Flat
Year Built: 2023
Builder: Holloway Construction
Photographer: Biddi Rowley & Anda Bulgakova
A sustainably built home with deep roots in place
In Hāwea Flat, our clients set out to transform a rustic farm shed into a warm, sustainable home that connects deeply with the land around it. The design builds on the character of the original concrete and timber structures while adding two new “pods” to capture views of the surrounding mountains.
The home is designed to be smarter, not bigger. Careful detailing — including high levels of insulation, airtight construction, and efficient heating and cooling systems — ensures year-round comfort with minimal energy use. Reused materials, like the original concrete pillars now forming garden steps, reflect the clients’ commitment to sustainability and creativity.
Inside, the spaces balance connection and retreat, from open family areas to a secluded loft workspace with views of Grandview Mountain. Every choice was made for the owners’ way of life, not for the market — creating a home that feels honest, resilient, and truly part of its place.
Pointy Flat House was a Residential Building of the Year Finalist in the 2025 Colorsteel awards.
Client Testimonial
“Working with Chaney & Norman Architects was a genuinely positive experience and we loved working with them. They bought to life our ideas and created a design that truly married the essence of the old with the contemporary, surpassing our expectations in what could be achieved. They were easy to work with, reliable, and maintained thorough communication all the way through the process. We would highly recommend them.”
Maree & Kayt, Pointy Flat House.