This Small House Sits On A Hillside In New Zealand

Photography by Jo Smith

LTD Architectural Design Studio have designed a small and modern house in Puhoi, about 50 km north of Auckland, New Zealand.

Surrounded by bush, the design of the house was inspired by the back country huts and the simplicity of their design. Locally sourced band sawn macrocarpa and galvanized corrugated iron have been used for the exterior materials.

This modern house uses locally sourced wood and galvanized corrugated iron for the exterior materials. #ModernHouse #WoodSiding #MetalSiding #Architecture

Photography by Jo Smith

At the front of the house, there’s a deck with a board-formed concrete fireplace and sunken bathtubs, that overlooks the valley.

This modern house has an outdoor deck with a board-formed concrete fireplace and sunken bathtubs. #SunkenBathtub #OutdoorBathtub #OutdoorFireplace #ConcreteFireplace

Photography by Jo Smith

When not in use, the sunken bathtubs have a cover that hides them from sight. This cover can also be propped up and used as an outdoor dining table, with people sitting directly on the deck with cushions and their feet in the empty tubs.

Just off the deck is the living room that opens on two sides. This allows the family to have an indoor / outdoor living experience.

This modern house has sunken bathtubs in the deck, while the cover for the bathtubs can be raised to become an outdoor dining table. #OutdoorSpace #SunkenBathtub #ModernHouse #Deck #OurdoorDining

Photography by Jo Smith

Behind the living room is the kitchen and dining room. Minimalist white kitchen cabinets and dining chairs compliment the white walls. Next to the dining room is a sliding wall that opens to reveal the children’s open plan shared bedroom and play area, as well as access to another outdoor space.

In this modern house, minimalist white kitchen cabinets and dining chairs compliment the white walls. Next to the dining room is a sliding wall that opens to reveal the children's open plan shared bedroom and play area. #ModernInteriorDesign #Kitchen #WhiteKitchen #KidsRoom

Photography by Jo Smith

The main bathroom for the house is located between the dining room and children’s bedroom. A simple color palette of wood and white has been used with a skylight adding natural light during the daytime.

A simple color palette of wood and white has been used for the design of this modern bathroom, with a skylight adding natural light during the daytime. #ModernBathroom #Wood #WoodBathroom #Skylight

Photography by Jo Smith

Beside the dining table is an outline of the stairs that feature hidden lighting that highlights the design of the stairs. Wood bookshelves run alongside the stairs that lead up to the mezzanine.

Beside the dining table in this modern house is an outline of the stairs that feature hidden lighting that highlights the design of the stairs. Wood bookshelves run alongside the stairs that lead up to the mezzanine. #Stairs #Lighting #InteriorDesign #Bookshelves #WoodInterior

Photography by Jo Smith

At the top of the stairs is a built-in closet and a small vanity area.

At the top of the stairs in this modern house is a built-in closet and a small vanity area. #ModernInteriorDesign #WoodCeiling #SlopedCeiling

Photography by Jo Smith

The mezzanine is home to a bedroom. Four skylights are positioned above the bed, which is partially suspended from the sloped ceiling. From behind the bed you can see the living room below.

The mezzanine in this modern house is home to a bedroom. Four skylights are positioned above the bed, which is partially suspended from the sloped ceiling. From behind the bed you can see the living room below. #Mezzanine #ModernBedroom #Skylights #ModernInteriorDesign

Photography by Jo Smith

Opposite the bed is a simple two-person desk positioned beneath large black-framed windows to take advantage of the view.

In this modern bedroom, a simple two-person desk is positioned beneath large black-framed windows to take advantage of the view. #Desk #HomeOffice #Windows #BlackFramedWindows