Wanaka-based Seventy Squares co-founders Tristan Penrose and Jason Bint are building compact homes dovetailing architectural designs and affordability for home buyers seeking a first home or wanting to downsize. Their homes fit within new rules allowing standalone dwellings no larger than 70sqm to be built without consent, provided they meet building code standards. Both of them have been builders for 20-plus years constructing architectural homes more latterly in Central Otago, but have bigger plans for the compact Seventy Squares designs. They follow a design checklist of efficiently built homes within buyers budgets in a simple design without compromising on quality. ‘‘We will always build larger architectural homes — that market isn’t going anywhere.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 23, 2026 16:40 UTC