The home, an open-plan concrete and steel dwelling in Glendowie, took out the supreme award at the Registered Master Builders 2009 Awards. With a heavenly vista stretching across Karaka Bay, Browns Island and around to Musick Point, the three-storey property was a favourite with judges, who described it as a masterpiece in architecture.
Clean, modern lines and fine materials characterise the spacious abode, which is home to a retired couple. With four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living rooms, six additional rooms and an attached garage, there’s plenty of room to breathe from the top level down to the cellar.
The project took nearly two years to complete and was a labour of love for builder Phil Leach, of PSL Construction. The West Auckland builder says the plans he worked from were “impeccable” and he enjoyed an easy relationship with homeowners and the architect. “It was easy to ring up and have a conversation,” says Phil. “It wasn’t ‘my way or the highway’. There was always a solution found.”
The property has an open-plan design with an impressive 10m by 7m atrium – an airy entrance that extends the lounge for social gatherings and connects different parts of the house. “As you walk in, there’s a huge foyer with a staircase,” Phil explains.
“It doesn’t feel like you’re walking into a museum. It feels homely. The atrium is probably my favourite part. Walking in and being in that huge space, it’s something else. You can see all the bones, the structure, of the stairs.”
Recycled ironbark was used for the sunshades, and cedar battens provide structural support to a layer of beautiful French oak flooring across the ground floor.
As well as triumphing in the house of the year category, the property scooped the New Homes over $1 million and Gib Living Solutions awards.
The competition judges commented on the considerable detail and sophistication of the design plans. “The degree of difficulty and detailing required of the builders was a real test of their skills and one that was delivered to the letter,” said judge, Guy Evans. “This home is a deserving winner of the highest accolade in residential building and stood out in a field of exceptional work.”
Rooms are mainly dressed in neutral shades, off set with richly hued accessories such as a tangerine toned rug and lounge suite that oozes cool.
The temperature of the home is monitored by large opening panels with automatic sensors that open and close the panels when rooms reach a certain level.
Lounge and dining spaces flow on to concrete terraces outside, which are complemented by a cosy outdoor room with a fireplace and an infinity pool.
“There was no chopping and changing throughout the project,” says Phil. “There were decisions to be made on the finishes, but essentially nothing else. It was such a complicated design and it was so well-thought out at the start that it was too hard to change. It would have compromised the final design.”
Anthra zinc cladding encases concrete pillars outside the home, while basalt stone covers the interior pillars. Polished black tiles line the bathrooms, while plush carpets adorn the bedroom floors.
Phil admits there were challenges to be faced, which needed to be thought through with great care. “The sequencing of events or staging of different parts of the project was fairly critical, right through to the finish. A curved cedar batten wall took a bit of thinking. And [installing] hidden fastenings in the atrium was a rewarding challenge.”
It was a drawn-out process but the end result made it all worthwhile. “We were pretty pleased,” says Phil.
