Specifications & Materials

In crafting the Bento cabins, sustainability has been our core focus from day one. We've consciously eliminated the use of fossil fuels and prioritized insulation to Passivhaus standards, whilst also emphasizing the importance of conserving fresh water.

Our material choices reflect our commitment to environmental responsibility. We opted for premium Red-List Free materials ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals as well as enduring the test of time.

Exterior, Interior & Services Specs

Exterior

  • Chemical-free macrocarpa vertical weatherboards with 2 coats of stain. Timber is sourced locally from a sustainable plantation.

  • New Zealand’s harsh and unique environmental conditions, demand building materials of the highest quality. Created by New Zealand Steel®, COLORSTEEL® is a robust, time-tested and approved product, that has been keeping Kiwis safe, warm and dry for more than 40 years.

  • Starkë AMBIANCE uPVC inline window system.

    • Aludec Jet Black colour

    • High thermal performance with uPVC frame.

    • Superior air-tightness with welded corners.

    • Excellent security with multi-point locking.

    • Clear Low E Lightbridge double glazing (Argon and warm edge spacer included)

  • Formance SIP system

    Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs, or SIP panels) are high-performing thermally efficient composite panels that consist of a sandwich of two layers of structural board with an insulating layer of foam in between.

    Formance Structural Insulated Panels are manufactured under factory-controlled conditions in Christchurch, New Zealand. We use Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and locally sourced Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).

    Formance Panels provide the solution to a home with substantial reductions in operational carbon.

  • Ground Screw system by Stop Digging

    • Swedish designed and developed ground screw system.

    • Modern and cost-effective.

    • Faster and concrete-free process, which is more climate-friendly and sustainable.

    • Low-impact on the site at end of life.

Interior

  • Engineered timber flooring by Forté

    • 3mm feature grade European Oak wear layer.

    • Sustainably sourced.

    • Designed exclusively for New Zealand’s diverse climates and kiwi lifestyles.

    • Pre-finished to ensure a more durable and accurate colour.

  • Pureply Maple

    • Decorative plywood manufactured for architectural fit-outs.

    • 100% formaldehyde-FREE, soy-based resin glue.

    • premium core with Maple veneer finish to both sides.

    • Plywood panels are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and/or Forest Management Certification compliant.

    • Plasterboard.

    • Paint finish.

  • Natural fabric drapes & blinds with a blackout backing.

Services

  • Plug-and-play mains pressure hose connection for maximum flexibility and minimum additional on-site works.

  • Greywater is routed to a single outlet ready to discharge to an irrigation or a treatment and recycling system (not included).

  • Human waste is processed on site and turned into compost with the use of a dry composting toilet.

    • Low profile dry composting split system.

    • White porcelain pedestal.

    • Two under floor compost containers.

    • Continuous electric ventilation.

    Dry composting toilets that use no water for flushing conserve precious water resources and keep effluent and pollutants out of waterways and the ecosystem.

    A Dry Toilet will save between 30,000 litres and 100,000 litres of water annually [1].

  • Rheem 135l electric hot water cylinder.

    Using electricity to heat water reduces emissions because most of our electricity comes from non-polluting, renewable sources.

    Electric water heating also allows to heat water for free if you generate your own electricity. In this case the water cylinder acts as an energy store.

  • Elicent REC-Duo 100 – Decentralised Ventilation Unit.

    • Heat recovery with up to 90% efficiency.

    • Coupled installation to work in Push-Pull mode to optimize the system efficiency.

    • Provides effective removal of stale & humid air.

    • Very low running & maintenance cost.

    • Remote controlled with 6 different operation modes, including humidity control.

  • Plug-and-play 16A caravan electrical connection for maximum flexibility and minimum extra on-site work.

    Standard 240V electric outlets throughout the cabin in all the right places.

    Low energy LED lighting.

Module Specifications

Kitchen

Since Bento cabins are modular there are two possible arrangements for the kitchen. In the bathroom/kitchen combo the kitchen has a drop-down bench. The standalone kitchen has a fixed continuous bench.

  • Low profile stainless steel benchtop with built in sink plus drop-down or fixed breakfast bar counter, depending on configuration.

  • WaterMark™ approved tapware in chrome finish.

  • Topcer Portuguese porcelain tiles. The tiles are full body vitrified meaning they have pigment in entire body (thickness) of the tile. This makes chips and scratches less noticeable and make them an ideal choice for high traffic zones.

  • 18mm Pureply Maple plywood under-sink and overhead cabinets.

    Under-sink cupboard contains space for integrated bar fridge.

  • 18mm Pureply Maple plywood split storage unit.

    Upper unit contains hanging space.

    Lower unit has 4 large drawers.

Studio Bed & Storage

The bed and storage unit has been specifically designed for our studio cabins. This single unit contains ample storage, a fold-away bed and hidden pull-out seating.

    • Queen size bed and mattress.

    • Create-A-Bed® adjustable Murphy Bed mechanism.

    • Effortless operation.

    • Fold-away for a clean, minimalist feel.

    • Built-in overhead reading lights.

    • A mix of open and closed cubbies.

    • Cubbies adjacent to bed contain power outlets.

  • Bottom corner spaces of the unit contain comfortable and easy to deploy seats.

  • We call it The Orb. It brings a gentle warm glow to the space to help you unwind even on a cloudy day.

Bathroom

The bathroom has been designed to be compact yet spacious and luxurious. The bathroom comes with door access, so guests can access the bathroom directly from the outside without bringing in sand or dirt through the cabin.

    • 900x900 tiled shower with large built-in shower recess.

    • 250mm round rain head.

    • Separate slim-profile handpice with 1500mm long hose.

  • Tiled wall shelf with wall hung basin and wall mounted tapware.

    Extra storage and powe point located in the adjacent hot water cupboard.

  • Human waste is processed on site and turned into compost with the use of a dry composting toilet.

    • Low profile dry composting split system.

    • White porcelain pedestal.

    • Two under floor compost containers.

    • Continuous electrical ventilation.

    Dry composting toilets that use no water for flushing conserve precious water resources and keep effluent and pollutants out of waterways and the ecosystem.

    A Dry Toilet will save between 30,000 litres and 100,000 litres of water annually [1].

  • WaterMark™ approved tapware in chrome finish.

  • Topcer Portuguese porcelain tiles to all wet areas. Pureply Maple plywood to all other wall surfaces.

  • Topcer Portuguese porcelain tiles. The tiles are full body vitrified meaning they have pigment in entire body (thickness) of the tile. This makes chips and scratches less noticeable and make them an ideal choice for high traffic zones.

  • Chrome heated towel rail with timer.

Architectural Plans