
Driftwood
Modern kiwi beach home — Manly, Auckland
Function Meets Flow
A corner site with dual access, a short stroll to the sand and a clear vision from the builder himself, the Drifwood project is a modern family minded retreat brought to life by Ze Build director, Zane Dykman.
Designed for his own young family, every element of the home was crafted with daily rhythm, long term liveability and safety in mind; from the curved concrete ramp replacing stairs, to flush set decking and soft material transitions for little feet.
A Passion Project on Home Turf
Nestled in the heart of Manly and just 300m from the beach, this home captures that iconic Kiwi bach essence, but with an elevated, enduring and design led twist. Its position on a sun soaked corner section allows for dual access, privacy and exceptional use of natural light. Open plan spaces, pitched ceilings and oversized sliders were all intentionally included to foster connection to the outdoors and encourage family flow throughout the home.
Being both builder and client, Zane had the rare opportunity to push the envelope, balancing practicality and creativity in the build. Think smart detailing, family friendly finishes and construction systems that would hold up to coastal life without compromising comfort.
Location
Manly, Hibiscus Coast
Project type
Renovation & Outdoor living
Modern Kiwi Bach Energy
While rooted in functionality, the home still brings feel good design to the forefront. A natural, neutral material palette grounds the interiors. Oversized windows frame mature trees and leafy surrounds, with alfresco zones seamlessly extending from living areas, perfect for hosting or simply unwinding.
Every detail, from cabinetry to flooring transitions, reflects Ze Build’s signature: precision, performance and people first design. It’s a true representation of what happens when experience, intention and craft collide.
Project Highlights
Architectural new build on Kawau Island Avenue, Manly
Designed and built by Ze Build director, Zane Dykman
Purpose built for modern family life with smart safety design
Curved ramp and flush decks for pram and kid friendly access
Dual street frontage + sun drenched corner section
Oversized sliders + pitched ceilings for light filled open plan living
Indoor outdoor flow designed around real day-to-day living
300m from Manly Beach with a timeless, modern Kiwi bach aesthetic
Built for family. Designed for life.
Driftwood is more than just a build, it’s a benchmark of Ze’s family-first ethos, where smart design meets real world living.