Team blue, Ben and Tom, have created a minimalist, modern house with architectural details that differentiates it from any other on The Block NZ. Take a look at what they’ve achieved
See inside all of Ben and Tom’s house from The Block NZ
Team blue, Ben and Tom, came into The Block NZ with a plan. The architecture graduate and the project manager happily played the long game, sacrificing room wins for what they knew would be a cohesive, architectural house on completion.
Whilst judges Kristina Rapley and Jason Bonham were unimpressed with their efforts at the start, by week 12 they were applauding the boys’ vision. Rapley said at their outdoor space reveal, “seeing this last space completed, I wouldn’t be surprised if these boys take out this whole competition.”
From week one Ben and Tom’s architectural angle was clear. With the keys to house two in their hands they knew from the outset skylights would be important in order to make it a light and bright family home. But their structural changes didn’t stop at installing skylights; cutting out pieces of the landing, re-working the kitchen layout, installing graphic LED feature strips, creating baton clad walls and ceilings and (controversially) re-sizing the walk-in wardrobe were just a few other changes the boys made.
What they lacked in room reveal wins, they made up for in challenge wins, not only taking out the lucrative Dinner Wars prize but also winning a total of $100,000 in prizes for their home.
Garage week saw the boys not only present their first completed room but also score their first win of the season. Where their pared back, practical style, which in previous weeks had let them down, was perfectly suited for this space.
Kitchen week was another big one for Ben and Tom, the design of their entire house centred around what they had planned for this space. Their long game paid off and they came away with another win.
Scroll down to see the rest of their house on The Block NZ

For entrance and powder room week Ben and Tom reverted to their paired back style with minimal styling. The judges thought they could’ve done more and gave them a 7.5.

Ben and Tom were reluctant to use colour for their powder room, but in the end opted for the same yellow they had used in their lounge.

Bonham commended the boys on their choice of tile and wall colour in their laundry.

Rapley said Ben and Tom’s laundry was just what they’d been expecting; minimal, industrial and practical.

The staircase leading from the entrance to the kitchen and living room upstairs features a custom LED handrail.

Ben and Tom’s kitchen wowed the judges with its wooden baton feature and LED light strips.

The boys opted to get rid of their butler’s pantry to accommodate more space in the kitchen.

The void above the dining room allows more light to filter through the space.


From their kitchen and dining space, a seamless deck leads out to entertaining space

They were commended for using some colour in the lounge.

Another one of their challenge wins; the large feature art work impressed the judges.

The judges liked the cohesion between the TV, cabinet and coffee table.

Their “coastal chic” guest bedroom.

The family bathroom in Ben and Tom’s house features a skylight about the bath and fish-scale tiles.



Ben and Tom designed the kids room for a teenage boy.

Rapley was impressed with how much their styling had progressed since the first room reveal.

The detailing around the desk also matches the skylight, with the judges commending them on the visual connection.

The staircase leading up from the middle floor to the top floor features another custom LED handrail and indoor windows.

A large sky well in the landing allows light to flood the top floor, and thanks to the interior windows and void, it filters downstairs too.

For their re-do room the boys chose their landing. It was a huge improvement.

The master bedroom.

Bonham said the room was an “overly masculine space with no colour whatsoever”. However we did like the combination of green textiles and timber.

To make the bedroom and bathroom bigger, Ben and Tom decided to get rid of their walk-in-wardrobe. The judges said this decision was an “epic fail”.

The ensuite to the master bedroom features a gallery-like double shower.

Ben and Tom had seven tilers working all week to get their ensuite completed.

Ben and Tom finally impressed the judges with their practical and functional garage.

Ben and Tom’s patio area is wooden decking, which connects seamlessly with the dining and kitchen area.

The repeated use of LED lighting strips connects this space to the kitchen and dining area.

Watch the judges comments: [bjd-responsive-iframe src=”//players.brightcove.net/761709621001/121c5088-8069-41b4-8a1d-23d11db9fe47_default/index.html?videoId=5840671612001″]



Words: Bea Taylor
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