HistoryPast Projects
1840-1970 Houses: The plentiful supply of land in New Zealand and a British-inherited cultural preference for individual houses resulted in the majority of homes built on a single section. What is known as the quarter-acre dream became a New Zealand ideal.
The ideal New Zealand family dwelling became a two to three-bedroom, single-detached house on a quarter acre (0.1-hectare) section.
The house generally was and is still sited towards the front of a fenced section, leaving space beside & behind for a driveway & garage, garden and family play.
The average size of a house one hundred years ago with 4.7 occupants was about 100m2.
1970-2020 Houses: The majority of houses are now between 150-350 m2 in size but with an average of only 2.7 people occupants. It has become common to build four & even six-bed houses with an entrance hall, entertainment room, study & a two-car garage. In some households, both parents work full or part-time & have flatmates to cover the mortgage payments, council rates, maintenance and the ongoing operational costs.
Demographic Changes – The last 60 Years
Before the release of the birth pill, it was common for larger families to live together, and in many instances, the house also housed the grandparents. Often there is now only one single occupant in a home with four or more bedrooms. Homes with just one occupant now account for 23%, two occupants 57% and three or more occupants less than 20%.
The average marriage age has increased to 30.4 for males and 29.2 for females contributing towards a more significant number of single people. Of the 14,000 that get married each year, approx 14,000 die or get divorced, with most requiring alternative accommodation.
The population is also ageing, with 20% of retirees looking to downsize with choices to travel and share their stay in hotels, motels, cruise liners and Airbnb.
The Future – Multi-key Adaptive Designs
From 1995 – 2,000, the Future House Team pioneered the design and development of adaptive, multi-key and multi-generational housing, terraces and apartments in Australia.
The projects illustrated are from over sixty projects located throughout New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and the Cook Islands between 2,000 and 2010.
Representations of more recent and pending projects are presented throughout this website, with over thirty projects phased in design or construction.
Doubtless Bay VillasNorthland
The Doubtless Bay Villas are located on the headland above the beautiful Doubtless Bay in the far north with a stunning golden sand beach below surrounded by colourful pohutukawas. Each three-bed two-level house with main floor entry has an additional rental self-contained one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor.
John Butler CentreKeri Keri
The John Butler Centre is regarded by many as one of the best commercial buildings in Kerikeri from a modern design & construction perspective and because of its High Street location.
Tenants include ground-floor retail with legal, accounting, administration & council offices on the upper levels.
Seven Castle DriveAuckland
Number Seven Castle Drive has positioned a stunning four level 750 m2 Italian Riviera renaissance style house with a separate 250m2 three-level three-bedroom guest house.
A total of seven levels with pool, sauna, billiard room, huge home office, magnificent entrance hall with dining room, lounge, kitchen all accessed by a grand oval four-level stairway & lift to the en-suite bedrooms located on the penthouse level.
Eleven GeorgeAuckland
Number Eleven George Street is opposite the Auckland Domain with fabulous Park and Museum views.
The complete building is in a multi-key configuration.
The featured apartment, a total of 200m2 of luxury, consists of a two-bed ensuite apartment + three self-contained studios assessed from a secure, elegant, separately keyed entrance hall.
Maison Auckland
The Maison mixed-use commercial & apartment development is within one city block of Central Takapuna.
The project has ground floor professional suites and offices with apartments on the four levels above. A four-level waterfall in the lobby with interior balconies overlooking the entry hall is a beautiful internal feature.
Top TownAuckland
A total of 96 apartments with several of the one-bed apartments for rental purposes have interconnecting doors to provide the option to convert into two studios.
Top Town is located on Auckland’s main Queen Street street with a park to the rear and within one city block of several restaurants and bars.
The DomainAuckland
Located in the prestigious Parnel suburb, the Domain Terrace Apartments have superb park views over the Domain Gardens & the Auckland Museum.
The project consists of one, two and three-bed apartments with separate one-bed or studio sub apartments.
Mount EdenAuckland
These twelve suburban stand-alone houses were initially architecturally designed with en-suite bedrooms around a central stairway as a for-runner for what has become the Escape Living rental concept.
Shoalhaven Auckland
Strategically located in Takapuna within one city block of a supermarket, shopping & transport, the apartments have uninterrupted views over a park to Auckland city.
The 132 two & three en-suite bedroom apartments were designed & built as investment rentals are all located in three glass towered connected buildings.
West End RoadAuckland
Four ultramodern townhouses, each with a magnificent central staircase, set against a three-level feature wall & an interior courtyard.
Regardless of your location in these stunning houses, these unique design features provide stunning internal and external views.
Kate Sheppard ApartmentsWellington
Wellington’s premium quality, inner-city apartment complex purpose-built with 28 apartments fit-out as luxury one self-contained bedroom + ensuite studio multi-key living.
The Kate Shepard apartments are located directly opposite New Zealand’s Parliament, directly behind the famous Backbencher restaurant and bar frequented by New Zealand’s members of Parliament.
The CapitalWellington
Many weary travellers & their partners have since enjoyed the view over beautiful Oriental Bay in Wellington.
The refurbishment of the existing hotel into thirty-two: One, two & three en-suite self-contained bed suites provide a mix of owners & investors with long term rental & hotel accommodation.
Queens Wharf HiltonWellington
Unfortunately, this project was never to be. The developer decided not to proceed with this project due to a dispute between the original landowners as to the actual land ownership & commercial use.
Disappointing that after 14 years & several million in funding, the 142 Room Hilton Hotel was eventually not approved for development.
Amber MewsChristchurch
The exterior design of the fifty-three level terrace houses reflected the nearby historic prison typical of Christchurch City.
Each terrace house consists of five en-suite studios, with kitchenette facilities and a shared dining/lounge area on the second level.
Pounamu Apartment HotelQueenstown
Located just a ten-minute stroll from the town centre and offers uninterrupted views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountains.
Recently voted as the third best hotel in New Zealand, the spacious 68 one-bed en-suite apartments and attached studio rooms provide warmth, comfort & privacy with modern living facilities.
Bowen ViewQueenstown
Centrally located 27 houses configured in apartments & terraced townhouses with fabulous northern views of the Gondola located on Ben Lomond and just two city blocks the Queenstown Town centre.
The project provides a luxury home for locals or rented to both short & long term visitors.
The AnchorageQueenstown
The Anchorage subdivision is in a sheltered, scenic Lake Wakatipu bay surrounded by native bush & snowy mountains.
The project consists of 92 lots, with 50% of the land landscaped in a native forest planted park with bespoke architectural dwellings located throughout the development.
Hallenstein StreetQueenstown
21 Multi-key two or three en-suite bed terrace townhouse apartments with self-contained studios.
The Hallenstein Street project is located on the terrace above the Queenstown town centre mall with direct views of Lake Wakatipu & the historic steamer wharf.