Wharepapa bach.

The retreat sits at the edge of a working farm, created for a farming couple who wanted somewhere to relax without losing connection to the land. The brief was straightforward: a building robust enough for the elements, grounded in its setting, and quietly beautiful without embellishment.

‘We wanted it to read like two farm sheds sitting side by side,’ says Aspect director Victoria Read. ‘Simple and honest, with nothing too contrived. We used products like greyed cedar cladding outside and prefinished plywood inside.’

Blonded plywood provides a natural surface 

Polished concrete floors provide a serviceable interior, while white walls keep the spaces light and open. Overhead, ceilings lined in PlyPlay Blonde Ambition introduce warmth and pattern, the pale timber softening the coastal light and adding texture without the high cost of solid wood lining.

For clients used to the directness of farm buildings, decoration was never the aim. ‘Farming is practical and utilitarian by its nature,’ Victoria says. ‘Our question was: how can something be practical and still feel considered? This would give our clients a bach experience where lifestyle is elevated.’

PlyPlay prefinished, UV-cured plywood is based on pine or birch panels, then prefinished with a durable UV coating in three colours for pine and a clear finish for birch. It brings warmth to the ceilings and dining bay window, and its durable finish stands up to everyday wear. The material continues into custom-designed bunk beds in the children’s room, creating a consistent material language throughout the bach.

Exposed details highlight PlyPlay’s functionality

‘Our ethos is to be honest about what a material is and how it would naturally be detailed,’ Victoria explains. ‘We chose plywood and detailed it to make it the best plywood it can be. Plywood is butt‑jointed and edges are left exposed so you can see how the panels are assembled.’

The result is an interior that feels natural and of its place rather than decorated. PlyPlay doesn’t simply line the ceilings; it helps shape the character of the bach and reinforces the idea that restraint can be expressive.

Built to withstand the southerly storms that roll in off the Pacific Ocean, the farm bach balances toughness with warmth, reflecting the rural landscape that surrounds it.

PROJECT CREDITS

Product: PlyPlay^TM Blonde Ambition

Architect: Aspect Architecture

Builder: Holmes Construction, Greytown

Photographer: Andy Spain

Writer: Folio