Every detail counts in smaller houses. But good architects are magicians of detail and budgets.

This compact, highly-stylised house on Auckland’s North Shore, shows how good design can resolve a highly constrained site and budget. Quality over quantity is at the heart of this home, with a clever use of space trumping the lack of floor area.

The house features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a powder room, separate butler’s kitchen, living and dining areas, and a double garage. All in 160 sq metres of floor space, and for a budget typical of a more modest dwelling. But we still packed the house with the features you’d expect on a big-budget build: striking materials, a well-proportioned modern form, and carefully considered outdoor spaces that create an air of practical sophistication.

The relatively low-cost project demonstrates the return on investment that a thoughtful architect can deliver: spatial triumphs and elements that will delight the heart – and wallet.