Grand Designs NZ: Couple bring treehouse dream to life

The intricate treehouse on Grand Designs NZ. Photo / Screenshot

An ambitious South Island couple bring their dream of building an elegant treehouse to life in the latest episode of Grand Designs NZ.

Rik and Boio moved to Hanmer Springs to chase their retirement dreams, where they decided to take on the ambitious project.

The plot of land on which they build their home is precarious - it's a prominent earthquake zone, as well as an area that gets extremely strong wind.

The couple's initial build time of four months is inevitably delayed by bad weather and construction setbacks, particularly as the octagonal shape of the building requires meticulously careful shaping of each piece of timber.

With costs running over budget, Rik and Boio eventually have to let go of their builders and finish everything themselves.

The process certainly puts strain on the couple - Boio later describes it as "a nightmare that I never thought I'd wake up from".

"That ceiling was a nightmare. There's just over 800 pieces of timber," she says.

"The whole process of building this house wasn't just frustrating in working so hard everyday, it was frustrating (with) Richard telling me how to do things," she jokes.

The final product is a stunning, open treehouse with expansive light and intricate wooden details.

"This house has brought us closer," says Rik at the end of the build.