Chris and Careena have been living in Auckland for most of their lives before deciding to make a drastic change. In 2017, the couple decided to sell their home in the city and move to the rural part of New Zealand. A picturesque setting in Kerikeri, Northland, New Zealand, seemed like a perfect choice.
They came up with the idea to build a floating home on a spring-fed dam on the property. The Ark, a lovely floating house, sits in the corner of a small private lake, and the scenery is simply breathtaking.
We bring you this story which might make you want to move into a similar house. The video is worth a million words.
The Ark at Cottle Hill Creek is just over three hours drive from Auckland, built on a 16-acre farm with a private lake.
Amazingly, Chris and Careena didn’t know what exactly they wanted to do when they sold their home in Auckland. They were determined to move to rural New Zealand and lived in a tent at first. Of course, the winter was coming, and they needed to figure out more permanent accommodation.
That’s when Careena saw a floating house design, and the idea took off. The tiny house floats on pontoons.
The artificial lake first had to be drained to build the floating cabin, and then it was filled up again. The water of the lake is pure, fed from an underground spring. Today, you can see many fishes swimming in the lake, and some friendly ducks come to visit as well.
Interestingly, the home is completely off the grid because a solar setup powers the entire house.
This floating home has a lot in common with any cabin built on land, except for some boat features. The Ark needs a bilge pump to irrigate crops.
The most beautiful part of the home is that the lake’s water is literally at the doorstep. Living with nature gets a whole new meaning when living in the Ark. There is a spacious garden behind the house, and the family uses it to grow all sorts of plants.
Joined with the land by a small deck, the Ark provides a lovely entertaining area.
You can never get enough of the outdoor space, and Chris and Careena know it very well. That’s why they’ve built a deck under a nearby willow tree.
They sometimes kayak on the lake, and Careena says that she’s delighted to hear so many birds singing in the morning. The kiwi has recently moved into the area, and Careena has already seen fantails, tuis, and kererus flying around.
Inside, the home provides two floors with a fold-down ladder that offers simple access to the sleeping loft.
The dining area, a small kitchen, bathroom, and lounge area are situated on the ground floor. The sleeping space is upstairs.
We must say that the couple has cleverly used the space inside the house, and everything seems to have its place. When inside, you would never say that the home is actually a boat if there wasn’t for the occasional soft movements of the water below.
Anyone can rent the house and enjoy the spectacular accommodation on the lake.
To book the Ark, click here. Bryce from Living Big In A Tiny House has already visited this phenomenal home, and the video got over 1.5M views. Undoubtedly, the Ark is a different way of sustainable living that brings everyday life closer to nature.
Watch the full video below to find out more details about the lovely Ark! Can you see yourself living in a house like this?
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