Case Study - Overseas Clients

This cleverly designed home in Mt Maunganui was photographed just prior to handover to our wonderful clients, who were living in Canada for the entire duration of the build. With a compact 298m² site to work with, the brief was clear: maximise every square metre without compromising on comfort, function, or style.

Spanning nearly 300m² over two thoughtfully planned levels, this home offers exceptional indoor-outdoor flow and a surprising sense of space. With four bedrooms, two lounges, a large scullery, and a separate study, it’s a smart example of what can be achieved when experience, collaboration, and clever design come together.

Despite the distance, the process ran smoothly from start to finish. Our clients, Paul and Kathryn hsare their experience of building with Thorne Group.

"During a short visit back to New Zealand, Paul and I, had our initial meeting with Aaron Thorne and Jon McAlpine (Architectural Designer). They both clearly listened to our needs, as our next meeting over zoom was to present a fantastic draft plan that met all of our expectations. 

What followed was a planning process with very open communication as well as a clear timeline. Our family requirements, including a specific move in date and budget was taken into account at each step. Once final costings were given to us, Paul and I were concerned as these had come in slightly over budget. The planned follow up meeting quickly allayed our fears, Aaron and Clare came to that meeting with fantastic viable options to bring the project back to our original budget, while continuing to meet our needs. 

During the demolition and construction we were given almost daily photographic updates, as well as regular communication with our project manager, Scott. We made use of messaging, video calls and email and always felt informed. We got sent samples of colours, flooring, bench tops and tiles so we had confidence in what we had chosen. 

“Looking back on the whole process, we feel it was actually easier than it would have been if we were in the country! We trusted in the advice we received along the way from the experts at Thorne Group, and they guided us through each step. We didn’t get caught trying to second guess our decisions because we had such a fantastic crew supporting us.”

Thanks to clear communication, consistent updates, and strong project management, we were able to deliver a future-ready family home that not only met their needs—but genuinely exceeded expectations.

“To say that it exceeded our expectations would be an understatement. We moved in on the scheduled date to our amazing new home.”

Project Summary

• 4 Bedrooms

• 2 Lounges (including one separate)

• Separate Study

• Large Walk-In Scullery

• Double Garage

• Separate Laundry

• Large Storage Room Off Garage

• Wraparound Covered Balcony

• 2 Generous Bathrooms + Powder Room

From daily site photos and video calls to neighbour-friendly construction practices, every detail was considered—even while the owners were on the other side of the world.

If you’re considering subdividing, downsizing, or building on a compact site—whether you’re in New Zealand or offshore—we’d love to help. Thorne Group can manage the entire process, from early feasibility and design through to final handover. Let’s unlock the potential of your property.