If you’re about to embark on an exciting project to build your own home, choosing an architectural style is one of the first steps to take. To make that job easier, we’ve put together a selection of some of the most beautiful barn style homes in New Zealand to excite and inspire you.
1. Waiheke Island Barn House — Customkit Buildings
The vision for a barn-style housewas realised with precision and style with a home that delivers on so many levels. A spacious living area, an all-weather deck, a workshop area for storage and space (for a honey produce business) and a design that blends naturally with its surroundings. The 190m2 building features LVL portals and plywood gussets, adding functionality and beauty. It’s a barn house, which offers simplicity, comfort, and seamless integration with the land.
This Waiheke Island Barn House blends in perfectly with its natural surroundings.
An all-weather deck with spectacular sea views.
The warmth of wood grain on walls complemented by rustic furnishings.
2. Heipipi Drive Home — Davcon
Inspired by rural aesthetics, thisblack-clad residencepays homage to the barn style while seamlessly blending into its breathtaking surroundings. Set against the coastal backdrop where the sea and sky converge, the cedar-clad house harmonises with the native vegetation, creating a serene atmosphere. Considering the exposed site, the design cleverly incorporates negative detailing to provide ample shelter, and a well-positioned courtyard offers privacy as an inviting outdoor space. Boasting 200m2 of living space and a north-facing aspect, the home utilisesconcrete floorsto capture and slowly release the sun's warmth. An amazing example of comfort, ingenuity and style.
The bold, black cladding of the barn-style home on Heipipi Drive contrasts dramatically against the clear blue sky.
A sheltered courtyard with framed and unframed views.
Home comforts and a view to savour.
3. Wairarapa Haybarn House — First Light Studio
Thisbarn-inspired home in the Wairarapacreatively utilises local development restrictions to its advantage, presenting a sleek and uncluttered design. Its form showcases a striking monolithic roof that gracefully slopes from a modest 2.4m stud height to an impressive 5.5m, making a captivating statement along the road. The double-height roof cleverly accommodates a ground-level double garage and workshop, with a loft above housing two bedrooms and a bathroom. The open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area benefit from the lofty space, complemented by the mezzanine level with remarkable acoustics. Finally,timber finishesthroughout the interior fill this home with warmth.
The monolithic roof of the Wairarapa Haybarn home reaches up to an impressive 5.5 metres.
Timber cladding complements the home's beautiful surroundings.
The personification of warmth with this homely interior.
4. Gordonton Stables House — Red Architecture
The brief for theStables House in Gordontonwas to create a spacious abode for a couple and their grown children and grandchildren to enjoy that didn't feel overwhelming when just the couple was at home. Inspired by traditional rural stables, a series of interconnected gabled forms were designed, creating inviting spaces in between. With a humble entrance leading to expansive living areas and soaring ceilings, rustic materials like warm cedar and slate were chosen to complement a richly layered interior. With meticulous landscaping, this home is the personification of timeless charm.
A bird's eye view of the exquisite Stables House — Photography: Nicole Troost & Mark Hamilton.
A beautiful outdoor living space to be enjoyed day and night — Photography: Nicole Troost & Mark Hamilton.
Furnishings and textures that exude comfort — Photography: Nicole Troost & Mark Hamilton.
5. Forestry Road Home — Yardley Architecture
Designed to embrace the natural elements of its Canterbury site in Ashley Forest, this family hometakes into account the sun's movement, breezes, and surrounding trees to create inviting living spaces. The architectural design features two contemporary gable forms: a larger one for formal activities and a complementary secondary structure for flexibility. With a focus on privacy, sliding and hinged timber louvred screens provide protection from the elements and prying eyes, allowing the home to be open or closed as desired. An exciting architectural statement that blends harmoniously with the serene natural setting.
Two contemporary gable forms combine for this beautiful home in Canterbury — Photography by Mick Stephenson.
Living spaces designed and informed by the breeze, sun and natural features around — Photography by Mick Stephenson.
A clever and stylish use of interior space — Photography by Mick Stephenson.
6. Ohauiti House — Thorne Group Architecture
Located in the hills of Ohauiti near Tauranga, thisimpressive family homecombines sustainability with entertainment. Designed with a central axis to Mount Maunganui, it offers stunning views of the Bay of Plenty landscape and incorporates eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic solar panels. The design blends modern and traditional aesthetics, with a simple single-level pavilion-style form and natural materials like stone and cedar. The interior layout includes separate living spaces, a master suite, guest bedrooms, and a media room, all connected to a covered outdoor area. With a focus on sustainability, this warm and functional home is perfect for family living and self-sufficiency.
Natural materials like stone and cedar are elegantly used at Ohauiti House.
Sliding barn doors are a traditional inclusion in a modern space.
Showstopping comforts with an unbeatable view of Mt Maunganui.
7. Pakiri Home — AO Architecture
Situated in Pakiri, this new dwelling called for amodern barn-inspired homethat maximised the panoramic views of the sea and native bush. Positioned on the highest point of the rolling hills, the house spans the site, capturing abundant sunlight and offering a front-row seat to observe the dramatic ocean weather. The design embraced the natural slope, featuring gently rolling lawns and ensuring privacy. It stylishly took on a rectangular barn shape with smaller forms, allowing each space to enjoy the desired views. Dark stained timber, profiled metal, and polished concrete were chosen as the material palette, providing a contemporary interpretation of the requested barn-like structure.
Dark stained timber, profiled metal and stunning design with this home in Pakiri — Photography: Stephen Entwisle
Glass sliding doors and full length windows allow the ocean views to be fully appreciated — Photography: Stephen Entwisle.
A breathtaking sight of a glorious sunset.
8. Bendemeer House — Mason & Wales Architects
The design ofBendemeer Housedraws inspiration from rural aesthetics, featuring a gable roof, stone, andtimber claddingsthat blend naturally with the surrounding countryside. A contemporary touch is introduced through a tall and spacious central hall that encompasses the dining, living, and sitting areas. The grand hall offers breathtaking views of Arrowtown and the Remarkables. The entrance, garage, loft, and main bedroom wing are positioned along the eastern side, while the master bedroom connects to a private sitting area. The two additional bedrooms form separate "barn-like" structures, creating a sheltered courtyard. The dwelling embraces seclusion, openness, and a profound connection to the beautiful Bendemeer landscape, offering modern comfort in a stylish yet unpretentious design.
The beautiful Bendemeer House and its wondrous surroundings.
The home opens up wonderfully well for a seamless transition into the outdoor spaces.
A bedroom with an extraordinary view.
9. Governors Bay House — First Light Studio Ltd
Thisbarn-inspired home in Governors Bayreflects its natural surroundings and offers a communal, open living space with a loft area. It captures beautiful views in a layout that includes small bedrooms and shared bathrooms, evoking the feeling of a bach. Prefabrication possibilities were considered, creating a rhythmic design throughout the house. High-performance glass, natural timber, and thermal modelling contribute to its energy efficiency, providing comfort year-round. This innovative, modest home showcases sustainable and economical architecture at its very best.
This barn-inspired home in Governors Bay is incredibly energy efficient, providing comfort all year round.
Innovative use of space and design are distinct features of this home.
Open plan living at its best with no shortage of natural light and fabulous views to appreciate.
10. Ohoka House — O’Neil Architecture
Ohoka housereimagines the traditional rural house into a contemporary barn-style home. Situated on the outskirts of Christchurch, this modern dwelling embraces a European aesthetic with clean lines and a black exterior that complements the surrounding landscape. The design focuses on meticulous details and proportions to achieve a sense of elegance. Inside, the house features recycled timber beams, a monochromatic palette, and large windows that connect the interior with the natural surroundings. The T-shaped layout includes a reflection pond, a split-level design, and spacious entertaining areas, offering both beauty and functionality.
Related article:11 gorgeous family homes from across New Zealand
A contemporary architectural triumph with Ohoka House in Christchurch.
A reflective pond can be enjoyed from nearly every space in the home.
Recycled beams add rustic charm to a finely curated interior.
The best barn houses in New Zealand to inspire you
As you can see, the barn houses highlighted above are fantastic achievements in design and construction and show what can be done. With spacious layouts, high ceilings, harmonious aesthetics, custom design, cost-effective and energy-efficient materials all common traits of these homes you can see why barn style homes have become increasingly popular in New Zealand and they're well worth considering for your next project.
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