Buying a home is expensive business. Looking to become first-time homeowners but without deep pockets, New Zealand architect William Samuels and his wife took a different tack. “When we looked at the housing market the only homes within our price range were in poor shape and unable to provide us with the level of comfort that we were after,” explains William. “So we chose to build our own to ensure that it matched our expectations for livability.”

$1,260 General & Administrative	$630 Site Preparation	$3,590 Foundations & Framing
$6,540 Structural Steel	$5,265 Framing	$7,445 Roofing & Cladding
$8,515 Windows & Doors	$2,805 Insulation	$4,065 Electrical Works
$5,885 Plumbing, Gas Fittings & Fixtures	$890 Lighting Fixtures	$925 Loft
$9,955 Internal Finishes	$14,060 Specialist Labor	$3,350 Flooring Finishes
$3,970 Joinery & Kitchen	$4,160 Deck & Pergola	$12,590 Goods & Services Tax (GST)
Grand Total: $95,900

It quickly became apparent that even if they were going to do so, they wouldn’t be able to afford land in the first place. This led to the idea of renting land and designing a prefab to place there. And then in the future, they thought, when they buy land of their own, they could easily relocate the home and expand upon it as needed.

“The real advantage is our ability to build a home to live in for a few years without having to pay for the land,” says Samuels. “The lease agreement becomes a stepping stone toward eventually obtaining a freehold property.”

To keep things within budget, the couple modeled their home after a small studio, hence its name, Studio House. The couple had both previously lived in tiny apartments in Melbourne, so they were already comfortable with small space living. Plus, a compact design would mean it’d be easier to move the structure when the time came.

The 430-square-foot plan comprises two side-by-side Zincalume-clad modules that are bolted together. Though compact, the interiors’ barrel-vaulted ceilings make for a spacious feel; arched windows at the ends of each bring in plenty of light. The home is arranged in a series of spatially distinct zones divided by low-height joinery and furniture. They all connect at a central pass-through—basically a cut out on the sides of the modules where they connect—that contains storage and a laundry area.

“Our primary consideration was to have a home that was comfortable and functional for the two of us.”
—William Samuels, architect and resident

In keeping with this approach, most rooms have multiple functions, and they are arranged in a “pinwheel” plan around the central open space, negating the need for hallways. Perhaps most importantly, the interior spills out onto the covered deck, extending the living area.

“Our primary consideration was to have a home that was comfortable and functional for the two of us,” William says. “That consideration outweighed all other aspects of the brief and was our only non-negotiable.”" layout="" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

By building the home themselves—a time-consuming process with a steep learning curve, the couple admit—they were able to significantly save on costs. This, in addition with the natural cost savings of “building small,” allowed them to purchase better quality materials and finishes.

The most expensive part of the build was hiring a carpenter to install the internal timber lining boards. “We had originally planned on doing them ourselves, however we realized that it was beyond our expertise and would take far too long,” says William. “It was a significant cost, but was well worth it, as the boards are one of the most beautiful aspects of the home.”

joinery throughout is crafted from black, moisture-resistant MDF. “We used this as a counterpoint to the rimu lining boards, but it has texture and depth as well,” William says. “It was also an affordable and straightforward way for us to build our own kitchen and cabinetry.”" layout="" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

Since William and his wife knew they’d likely be moving the home in the coming years, it was essential that it was designed to respond to the current site but also be flexible enough to suit a potential future site, which will present its own set of challenges. For ease of transport, the modules were designed at the maximum allowable width to tow on a trailer. When it is time to move, they can be unbolted, transported, and bolted back together at the new site.

As the couple’s situation changes—if they have children, say—they can easily add a third module with separate bedrooms. The current bedroom would become a library or rumpus room. Additional detached structures, such as a small office or guest pod, could be placed elsewhere on the property.

“The most satisfying part of this project is the proof of concept,” says William. “Although small, the home is extremely livable and functional. It’s made me more confident to advocate for smaller spaces with clients. The first instinct is often to try and get the maximum area that their budget will allow, which is not always the right approach. I believe building smaller—but doing so in a more considered and thoughtful manner—will result in better built outcomes.”

More Budget Breakdown:

An Architect DIYs a Luminous Work Shed for $10K

How a Couple Built a 480-Square-Foot Home for $68K in Cash

Project Credits:

Architect: William Samuels Architects

Structural Engineer: Gary Hodder

Photographer: Simon Devitt

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Budget Breakdown: A New Zealand Architect’s $96K Plan to Become a First-Time Homeowner