The Project

We photographed three of Totara Construction’s recent projects in a single day — moving from house to house with Matt as he caught up with clients and shared insights into each build.
One of those homes was The Red Hut, a thoughtfully designed residence in Otumoetai, created by Stufkens + Chambers Architects.

Designed by architect Steven Stufken as his own family home, the project was shaped around the sensory needs of his two youngest children, influencing both the layout and material palette.
Natural timbers and earthy textures were chosen to create a calm, soothing environment that felt connected to its steep, native-clad site.

Despite the site’s challenging access and existing landscape elements, the Totara team managed the build seamlessly, completing it in just eight months — an impressive feat during a particularly wet winter.

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The Shoot

Our goal was to document the craftsmanship, spatial design, and warmth of the home.
We moved through each room capturing the flow of the architecture, the detail of the materials, and the lived-in feel that comes with great design and build execution.

All images were delivered the next day in an online gallery, giving Totara Construction fresh, professional content for their website and marketing.

Outcome

A refined collection of architectural imagery that highlights both the beauty of the design and the skill of the builder.
The Red Hut stands as a perfect example of Totara Construction’s ability to deliver complex, high-quality projects while maintaining warmth, precision, and care at every stage.

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