Meet Camperdown
Maximising indoor-outdoor flow allowed Rob to host
a Christmas gathering for 17 without a challenge.
In the heart of Miramar, Jay* lives in a 3-bed, 90sqm FLiP MID in the small development of FLiP Camperdown. This 3-home development sits on a roughly 500sqm site which was previously occupied by a single dwelling and a leaky, decommissioned garage.
In close consultation with the then-owner, FLiP Homes was able to remove and rehome the previous structure and maximise the utility of the site with the FLiP MID and two 42-sqm FLiP MINI 1-bed homes. The transformation of the site has increased its density, and the 1-bed units offer a sought-after model of housing in Wellington’s film production hub.
“We had already downsized from a 260sqm home to an apartment,” Jay says. “We did this because we didn't want our lives to revolve around having ‘stuff’. But we soon realised we also wanted to get away from the Bodycorp fees of apartment living, hence the move to FLiP.”
Jay has been at FLiP Camperdown for a little over a year now and says he’s loving smaller, healthier and more efficient living. “Our house is very warm and cheap to heat up in the middle of winter. You could cool it down in summer using the single heat pump, though the way the front and side doors fold back, we don't really need to worry about that.” This is one of Jay’s favourite design features, he says. “Having opening doors on two sides of the house provides great functionality for us, and when they’re closed, we’re impressed by how quiet the house is.”
“It is definitely smaller than homes we’ve lived in before but that also means that it’s warmer and very low maintenance. The easy-care outdoor spaces function well for us as I am not a gardener.”
He’s also enjoying the adaptability and the ease of care. “It is definitely smaller than homes we’ve lived in before but that also means that it’s warmer and very low maintenance. The easy-care outdoor spaces function well for us as I am not a gardener. I do sometimes miss having a garage as I do my own vehicle maintenance at home, but I have since purchased some outdoor storage units to store the equipment I need.” Storage, in general, does need to be well thought out when downsizing, Jay says, but that thoughtfulness has helped his family to be more intentional about their desire to not keep acquiring ‘stuff’.
Well thought out storage ensures there is a place for everything
Situated to maximise the sun’s warmth and inter-property
privacy the large decks expands the living space
of the 42-sqm FLiP MINI.
For the important moments and big occasions, Jay’s FLiP MID has delivered, he says. In his first year at FLiP Camperdown, he was thrilled to be able to host a Christmas gathering for 17. “We thought it would be a challenge - and it might have been if we had wet or windy weather - but we were able to use the indoor-outdoor flow to its max.”
For others considering a FLiP, Jay’s advice is to take the plunge. “If you’re thinking about a FLiP home, just do it. The house is awesome to live in.”
Low-maintenance, easy-care landscaping complements the outdoor spaces and materials
*name changed for privacy
