A smart new abode with no red tape
If they were built into a hillside they would probably be a tourist attraction, but even without its Hobbit-like appearance the developers of a new style of compact housing expect it to have wide appeal — and The Tube Room is not big enough to require a building consent.
It began with a discussion between builder Mark Christiansen and businessman Mark Blakelock, who wanted to put some cabins on his Puketona Rd property but didn’t want to go through the building consent process.
Mr Christiansen, also a former building consents manager, took up the challenge and designed a tubular room that they say is easy to build, maximises space, and is flexible enough to be used as a kids’ sleepout, office, workers’ bunkroom, studio or campground cabin.
Because the floor area was less than 10 sq m, in most circumstances it would not need a building consent, while the curved walls gave it 25 per cent greater volume than a building with the same floor size and straight walls. It would need a consent if plumbing was installed, or if it was used as a stand-alone dwelling rather than as extra space for another building.
Mr Blakelock said The Tube Room is 4.1m long and 3.5m in diameter, was insulated, doubleglazed, and constructed to New Zealand building standards. Advanced DIYers could buy the room as a kitset for $20,000 and assemble it themselves, or the company could built it on-site, or deliver it, for around $25,000.
Builders who wanted to use their own materials could buy the Napier-made round steel trusses.
The company was keen to expand around the country, and had already signed up a partner in Cromwell. The main interest was from people who wanted to install eco-huts on covenanted land. Others wanted to use Tube Rooms for children’s or grandparents’ bedrooms, or to rent out.
A Tube Room is on display at the Old Packhouse Market on Kerikeri Rd every Saturday.