Plan A

A dated A-frame right on Papamoa Beach was the perfect project for this creative couple, who have transformed it into a nostalgic holiday retreat

- Tina Stephen

It’s been a while since A-frame homes were all the rage. While they were everywhere in the 1970s and ’80s, these distinctive abodes have since been thought of (by some) as C-list real estate. However, photographers Rachel and Jared Dobbs have an eye for a bargain and, while hunting for a second home that could also supply an Airbnb income, the Mt Maunganui couple were delighted to discover a classic A-frame by the beach at Papamoa in the Bay of Plenty.

“We love A-frames, we wanted to be close to the beach and we like Papamoa,” says Rachel. “The house is super-quirky and authentic, and we felt instantly nostalgic when we went inside. It reminded me of the bach we used to go to sometimes when I was a kid.”

After baulking when the real-estate agent suggested they tear it down, the pair purchased the home and began planning how they would bring it up to date.

They opted for a balanced approach that would retain the building’s retro, Kiwiana feel while bringing it up to a modern standard. As well as replacing the roof and windows, they spent a big chunk of the budget on landscaping. They had a deck built over the old-fashioned front garden and lawn laid all the way to the fence, while a breeze-block wall was added at the side.

“As the renovation progressed, we realised how much we valued the uniqueness of the house, so we wanted to stay true to its design while giving it a new lease of life,” says Rachel.