86 | Re-energise in a Repose Cabin Max, left, and Jack Anderson relaxing at a Repose Cabin. BUILDING Repose Cabins Sue Russell Also we won the DIY category at the tiny house expo in case you wanted to update the article with that. Two enterprising brothers, proudly born and bred in Taranaki, are pioneering a new experience for people wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of life; seeking a time to slow down, experience a less familiar environment and recharge the batteries. Jack and Max Anderson have created Repose and using their complementary set of skills launched their first Repose cabin experience in rural Lepperton in August. “We wanted to find a way for people to re-energise and get away from it all, but in a place of beauty, offering new experiences, so we built our first eco-cabin. We settled on rural Taranaki as the spot for our first cabin,” Jack says. Those wanting a break can access this unique accommodation experience through Airbnb. With a designing background Jack’s skills have been employed in creating the cabins design, while Max, who studied for a Bachelor of Commerce at Canterbury University, inputs the business and strategic direction. What is quite unique about Repose is that it not only offers a get-away for holiday-seekers, but the company is structured in a way that enables a partnership arrangement to exist between the business and those offering a piece of land for the cabins to be settled on. “It’s a chance for land-owners to add value to their own situation. “Our job is to build the cabins and find locations for them to settle on, while they supply a little piece of ‘their paradise’ for the cabin to rest. “It’s a perfect arrangement benefiting everyone,” Max says. The first cabin in Lepperton is actually set up on a dairy farm, providing visitors with an opportunity to see a real working farm. A second cabin is nearing completion and a home for it is being sought, while plans are to commence building a third cabin later in the year. “We wanted to find a way for people to re-energise and get away from it all, but in a place of beauty, offering new experiences, so we built our first eco-cabin.” A lot of careful thought has gone into the simple design, with quality fixtures and fittings that ‘fit’ into the look and feel of the space inside. The first cabin has been operational since 1st August and, not surprisingly, is fully booked until the end of October. With very few spots left before Christmas. What’s really behind the initiative is the idea that visitors are not only enjoying a unique place to stay, but are having a new experience. “Our first cabin on the dairy farm offers those booking into the cabin the chance to see a real working farm in action.” The cost to stay per night in the Lepperton cabin is $150 and Max and Jack hope to find unique environments throughout New Zealand in time. “It’s a case of getting the message out to land-owners that this is a real win-win value-add for them and we’re certainly interested in hearing from anyone who would like to understand how the partnership works in detail. Anyone wanting to explore the possibility of hosting a cabin on their land can email us as host@repose.co.nz,” says Max. Goals have been set as well. By the end of next year, the plan is to have five cabins operational. Repose is also competing in the annual national Resene Tiny Homes competition, where the public can vote for their favourite space. By mid-September, with a week of so to go, Repose, was winning on votes received in the DIY category. Sitting behind the design and construction of the cabins is a low impact philosophy, something Jack says, is important for potential hosts to understand. “Our cabins have minimal impact on the land. They’re on a trailer and can be easily moved around. They are not large in size but have been really well-designed so there’s a feeling of plenty of space.” Asked for future sites of interest Max says the idea of having a cabin in a winery is very appealing. “When you think about all the ways land is used these days, there’s a lot of possibilities for where our cabins could be sited.” For Max and Jack, there’s a real feeling of pioneering a new way to enjoy the outdoor spaces, make a successful business from it and add value to existing land-owners, who want to share their own success with visitors. Cabins, Sleepouts & Tiny Home Frame Kits If you’re looking for framing for your project, we have over 100 base plans to chose from or our inhouse design team can draft a frame kit to your preferences. In fact, most of the frame kits that leave our factory are custom. We’re 100% Kiwi and our steel is NZ Made as well. Our frame kits can be delivered to you anywhere in the country as fully made-up panels or as a flatpack. And we’re more than just cabins, sleepouts and tiny homes, we also design and manufacture sheds, garages, farm buildings, mezzanines and much more. Send your plans through to us for pricing: contact@steelframesdirect.nz www.steelframesdirect.nz 09 307 8020 or 022 307 8020
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