Why Prefab Homes Are Becoming A High-End Alternative To Traditional Home Building
Designer prefab homes have hit the sweet spot for those wanting a beautiful home that’s quick and efficient to build.
Eight years ago, Isaac Lindesay had a kernel of an idea: a business in which he would create everything inside and outside a house, as well as the house itself. But that was just half of it. What really made it a gem of an idea was that these prefabs would be design-driven: modular homes with an elegant and simple aesthetic made to last.
Two years later, he built a prototype and, in 2021, launched Makespace with his wife, Beck Wadworth. Since then, the couple have been quietly reshaping how architecturally designed homes are built in Aotearoa. They have helped take pre-built housing from something once seen as temporary or purely practical into the realm of high-end, designer residences.
“We saw a gap in the market for a more considered, design-led approach to prefab and modular,” says Lindesay.
“At the time, much of the offering felt either highly functional or architecturally ambitious but inaccessible. We believed there was demand for something in between: a premium, well-designed home that could be delivered efficiently, without compromising on quality.”
The bespoke homes created by Makespace offer a high-end yet efficient alternative to traditional construction. The prefab modules are constructed at Makespace worksites in Auckland (for North Island customers) and Christchurch (South Island customers) and delivered nationwide.
A lot of Makespace’s success is undoubtedly built on the complementary skills Lindesay and Wadworth each bring to the business. Lindesay leads the team, sales, business growth, project management, systems and delivery. Wadworth is in charge of design, material selections, interiors, brand and social media.
“It’s a natural alignment of strengths, allowing us to operate both strategically and creatively,” she says.
The couple believe their company’s aesthetic is a reflection of how New Zealanders want to live today: “calm, considered, and connected to their environment”.
“From the beginning, we’ve been intentional about elevating what modular can be,” Wadworth says. “That means designer kitchens and bathrooms, a restrained and contemporary palette, and materials that feel warm, tactile and enduring – like timber, stone and natural finishes.”
The couple searched for a design studio that shared their values to bring the Makespace look and feel to life. From the start, they’ve worked with Studio Billy Architecture, which has a refined, considered design ethos that suits Makespace, as well as the skills to create a repeatable, controllable design-and-build process.
It’s only natural that Wadworth leads the creative direction and overall visual identity of Makespace. She brings the experience of launching her own brand, luxury stationery company An Organised Life, in 2013. After a decade of success in the stationery industry, she closed the premium brand in 2023 to focus on Makespace.
She says it’s been rewarding to shape the company into a design-led brand.
“Personally, I’m drawn to creating a home that feels warm, calm, and organised – a space that supports everyday life in a considered way.
“We believe the spaces you live in have a direct impact on how you feel day to day. Thoughtful design, natural light, materials and layout all contribute to a sense of calm and ease. It’s something we consider in every project.”
The couple met in December 2020, when Lindesay was about to build the first Makespace pilot project. Wadworth says what was missing was someone who could build the brand – its creative direction, website, marketing, PR; someone who could bring “the overall vision to life”.
“Very early on in our relationship, I offered to step into that role, and have been part of Makespace since it launched in 2021,” Wadworth says.
“I bring a design-led lens to the business, shaped by my experience building and scaling a brand within the lifestyle space.”
At the same time as growing Makespace, Lindesay and Wadworth have been raising their family, often referring to the business as their “third baby”. They have two daughters, Isabella (3) and Harper (9 months).
“Being in business together allows for a level of flexibility and understanding that’s incredibly valuable. We’re able to support each other through the juggle, particularly during busy periods,” says Wadworth.
“Isaac travels frequently for sales and deliveries, often with long days or overnight stays, so we’ve structured my role in a way that allows me to balance both work and family life, including pick-ups, drop-offs, and solo parenting when needed.”
Early Makespace projects centred on refined, small-footprint homes in places like Northland and Waiheke Island.
A single module from Makespace’s Classics Range (36sq m one-bedroom with living/dining and bathroom) costs from $144,000 (GST inclusive), finished and ready to deliver, but excluding delivery and site prep costs.
Today, many builds are large-scale, permanent residences, typically between 100sq m and 400sq m.
There’s an art to delivering these high-spec modules to what can often be challenging sites. Some involve remote coastal and rural locations. All deliveries require either a hybrid truck that can transport and place modules (without a crane) or, depending on the site, truck and crane access.
Recently, they delivered four modules, each 4.5m x 10m, to a Queenstown property without a driveway. It involved building a special pad for the crane on reinforced footings in rock, to take the 40-tonne load, then lifting each module down a hill, over another house, into the final position.
It all went without a hitch.
“While transport always carries some level of risk, it’s extremely rare for us to have any significant damage,” says Lindesay. “Our systems, contractors and handling processes have been refined to ensure everything arrives on-site exactly as intended.
“In terms of curveballs, across five years we’ve had a broken window, a couple of cracked tiles, and a small section of damaged cladding, which is a testament to how robust the process is.”
Outside work hours, do they have any rules about not talking business to foster their personal relationship?
“We’re mindful of creating boundaries where we can,” says Wadworth. “There are moments where we consciously switch off from work to focus on family and our relationship. It’s important for longevity, both personally and professionally.
“We’ve also found small rituals that work for us, like a Friday afternoon date before picking up the girls, a chance to reset and move into the weekend. We also love spending time with friends and family, usually centred around good food.”
Number one, when they are not working, is spending time with their daughters.
“In our free time, we prioritise our girls, whether that’s walks, playgrounds, travel or simply being at home together.”
Why designer prefab homes are on the rise
Speed and Efficiency
Prefabricated homes can be completed in weeks, rather than months, by minimising construction delays caused by weather.
High-end design
Architecturally designed prefabs are far from the cookie-cutter stereotype, featuring high-end materials, sleek aesthetics and bespoke layouts.
Sustainability
As well as minimising construction waste, a prefab modular home can be built to be fully off-grid and self-sufficient, regardless of scale.
Market Demand
A need for affordable, high-quality housing, combined with the full turn-key service, especially for remote sites, has driven the demand for modular, high-performance homes for both large and small projects, from one-bedroom homes to expansive five-bedroom residences.
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