Who doesn’t love the nostalgic appeal of a classic kiwi bach? They carry amazing history, are often built with beautiful native timbers, and effortlessly channel those carefree, holiday vibes.
But let’s be honest: what they offer in charm, they often lack in comfort. The reality of these old girls often means frustrating maintenance, watertight issues, cold, and floorplans that don’t suit modern family living. This difficult reality is what eventually convinces many homeowners to bowl the bach and build new.
We recently partnered with three homeowners who faced this very dilemma. They loved their original bach dearly but were tired of fighting its constant functional shortcomings. Their mission was clear: build a new, modern home that could still honour the spirit and familiar essence of the old one.
We wanted to share a glimpse into these three new builds. They prove you can have the modern, functional, warm home you’ve always wanted, while keeping the soul, style, and nostalgia of the original bach alive. This post is the first in a series of blogs where we will take a deep dive into each of these three unique builds.
1920’s Miners Cottage
Mike and Kathy Bell, owners of Belco Homes, were adamant about preserving the history of their original 1920s miners cottage. Their initial plan was a full renovation, but the decades had taken too great a toll. Facing this difficult reality, they made the decision to recreate the quaint building entirely, focusing on achieving an authentic period style combined with modern functionality.
The execution was so successful that it’s genuinely hard to believe this is a new build. From the exterior, the cottage features classic traditional weatherboards. They achieved modern efficiency by using double-glazed aluminium windows cleverly set within traditionally styled timber frames and sills, maintaining an authentic heritage look.
Another strong link to the past is found inside: beautiful matai flooring salvaged directly from the original home’s structure now features prominently throughout the living area flooring. Additionally, the original rimu timber framing was carefully reused to create the beautiful kitchen bench and bathroom vanity, adding another strong, tactile connection to the past.
Beyond the visible charm, the home is engineered for the future. Modern functionality ensures it’s the perfect weekend getaway and future retirement haven for the couple. Key features include a large, sun-filled, high-stud open-plan kitchen and dining area, excellent indoor/outdoor flow, the addition of solar panels, and smart design for ample storage and plenty of beds for family and future generations.
See more of this lovely home by clicking on the Beach Bach Beauty link.
