Elemental Design and Build

26/09/2026

Did you know our Common House is the biggest h**pcrete structure in the whole southern hemisphere at 350m² and it is located right here in Tākaka.

H**p Building is possible here in Aotearoa and we believe these regenerative building solutions should be accessible to everyone.

At Kōhu H**p, our mission is to help bring h**p into mainstream construction and support its pathway into the New Zealand Building Code 🇳🇿✅️

Photographer - Mazarine Fitzgerald 📸
Tākaka Cohousing Common House

Antoine Tane Woodland and Elemental Design and Build

H**p Building Educational Talk

15/09/2026

A throwback to one we're particularly proud of. There are some buildings that stay with you long after the tools have been packed away. The Common House at Tākaka Cohousing is definitely one of those.

This photo takes us back to the build while the structure was still taking shape. Timber frame rising above the floor, h**pcrete walls going in, tools scattered everywhere and a huge amount of mahi still ahead. What you can't see in this photo is quite how much thought, skill and collaboration went into creating it.

The 350m² Common House was the largest project Elemental had taken on, combining traditional timber framing with h**pcrete and natural materials. The timber was locally sourced and milled on site, keeping the material close to home and allowing us to put some serious traditional framing skills to work.

Today, this building is the beating heart of the first Tākaka Cohousing neighbourhood. It's a place for shared meals, meetings, celebrations, workshops, laundry, connection and all those spontaneous moments that make a community.

Looking back at photos like this, we're pretty darn proud of what the team created.
From a collection of timbers and a concrete floor to a building that has become a genuine home for a whole community.

That's the good stuff.

**pcrete

10/09/2026

Seven years. One very special home. And finally, we're nearly there. 🏡

This hillside build in East Tākaka has been quite a journey.

From rockfall engineering and planning hurdles to COVID delays, changing plans and a whole lot of problem-solving, getting this house over the line has taken patience and persistence.

But now the main house has its Code Compliance Certificate, and we can finally take a moment to look back at how far it has come.

A fully off-grid home, built with thoughtful design, sustainable choices and plenty of timber craftsmanship. There are still a few finishing touches to go, but the end is very much in sight.

We've put together the full story, including some of the challenges and decisions that shaped the build.

👉 Read it here: https://www.elementalbuild.nz/blog/finishing-the-build-on-the-hill

​ Some projects take a little longer to find their way into the world.

03/09/2026

A closer look at the Rameka. 🌿

There’s something special about stepping inside a finished timber frame and seeing how the structure, materials and natural light come together.

The Rameka’s interior showcases the warmth and character of natural timber, with exposed framing and carefully crafted timber lining creating a space that feels connected to its surroundings.

Rather than covering the structure up, this approach celebrates it. Every beam, joint and grain becomes part of the interior, giving the building a sense of warmth, simplicity and permanence.

For us, this is what natural building is about: creating spaces that feel good to live in, using materials that age beautifully and craftsmanship that can be appreciated for generations.

Elemental Design & Build
Build Beautifully. Live Naturally.

01/09/2026

The beauty is in the details.

Traditional timber framing is all about precision, patience, and letting the structure speak for itself.

Here, a carefully cut timber joint is being prepared to receive its wooden peg, creating a strong mechanical connection without relying on modern fixings to do all the work.

It is a beautiful reminder that good building is not just about what you see when a project is finished. It is in the craftsmanship hidden within the structure, the careful layout, the hand-cut joinery, and the knowledge passed down through generations.

At Elemental Design & Build, we believe in building beautifully, with materials and methods that connect us to the natural world.

Build Beautifully. Live Naturally.

31/08/2026

Every project has its own story.

This East Tākaka build is a little different from the projects we’re best known for, but that’s exactly what makes it worth sharing.

At Elemental Design & Build, we believe good building starts with understanding the project, the people, and what’s possible. Our experience across timber framing, natural building and conventional construction means we can adapt our approach to suit the job, without compromising on craftsmanship or attention to detail.

From the first idea to the finished build, we’re here to make good spaces, thoughtfully built.

Build Beautifully. Live Naturally.

📍 East Tākaka, Golden Bay

16/08/2026

Two timber-framing traditions. One beautiful structure.

Earlier this year, Elemental Design & Build hosted a special timber framing course in Golden Bay, bringing together two craftsmen from different continents and different lineages of the craft.

Benito Steen of Canelo Project in Arizona joined Graeme Scott, co-founder of Elemental Design & Build, to share their knowledge of traditional timber framing with 14 students from Aotearoa and beyond.

Over the week, students explored the fundamentals of mortice and tenon joinery — learning to read and mark timber, translate plans into three-dimensional structures, work with hand and power tools, and develop traditional scribing techniques.

But the real magic came when all those individual pieces came together.

On the final day, the frame was raised, revealing how every carefully crafted joint became part of something much greater than itself.

The course was about more than timber. It was about sharing knowledge, keeping traditional craft alive, and building community around the work.

The result is a beautiful timber guest house, built from locally grown and milled lusitanica — and 14 people who left with new skills, new friendships and a deeper appreciation for the craft.

We’ve just published the full story, with more photographs and reflections from the course.

🌿 https://www.elementalbuild.nz/blog/timber-frame-course-collaboration-ebanz-article

And to learn more about Benito’s work, courses and natural building projects, visit the The Canelo Project.

11/08/2026

Before the walls are lined, before the finishes are applied, there's a moment when the craftsmanship speaks for itself.

The Rameka reveals the beauty of traditional timber framing in its purest form. Every post, beam and joint is carefully handcrafted from locally sourced timber, where centuries-old techniques meet modern engineering to create a structure that is as enduring as it is beautiful. It's where art meets craft, and craftsmanship meets engineering.

Every line has a purpose. Every joint tells a story. Every detail reflects the pride and precision of the builders who bring these structures to life.

Whether you choose a complete build or a traditional timber frame kit, each Rameka is handcrafted in Golden Bay before being shipped anywhere in New Zealand, ready to become your sleep-out, studio, office or retreat.

Built with intention. Crafted with care. Made to last for generations.

10/08/2026

Not every project needs to be a grand timber frame to showcase exceptional craftsmanship.

This beautifully crafted entrance porch is proof that even the smallest structures deserve the same care, precision, and attention to detail. Every joint, every timber, and every finish reflects the pride that goes into our work.

At Elemental Design & Build, we work with locally sourced timbers and natural materials wherever possible, combining traditional woodworking techniques with thoughtful design to create structures that are both beautiful and built to last. Whether it's a handcrafted front porch, a bespoke pergola, a full timber frame, or your dream home, every project is approached with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Because great craftsmanship isn't measured by the size of the build—it's measured by the care that's poured into every piece.

📍 Handcrafted in Golden Bay, New Zealand.

09/08/2026

The Parapara is where timeless craftsmanship meets modern living.

Handcrafted here in Golden Bay from locally sourced Douglas Fir, each Parapara is built using traditional timber framing techniques, with classic mortice and tenon joinery secured by offset hardwood pegs—meaning no nails or screws are needed to hold the frame together. Every piece is finished with natural oils, celebrating the beauty of real timber while creating a structure that's built to last.

Designed as a stunning pergola or event space, the Parapara also comes as a kitset, making it easy to transport and assemble almost anywhere in New Zealand. Whether you're creating an outdoor entertaining area, a glamping retreat, a wedding venue, or the beginning of your own natural building project, the possibilities are endless.

Handcrafted. Sustainable. Naturally beautiful.

Built in Golden Bay. Delivered nationwide.