BUILDING DREAMS
BUILDING AND RENOVATING IN THE SOUTHERN LAKES
Lakeview | Taumata
Springtime feels like a time for rejuvenation and refreshment. It’s about starting to spend time outdoors again and watching our gardens return to full bloom. It’s about clearing away the cobwebs, making repairs and refurbishment – or making a change and moving altogether.
After a turbulent few years, there’s a sense of readiness for rejuvenation and forwardthinking in the air. There’s an extra spring in everyone’s step, it seems. In this issue of Building Dreams, there’s a sense of rejuvenation and refreshment too.
Paul Taylor looks at how a major construction project in Queenstown will be using mass timber – a modern, more sustainable building material.
THEFIRST word
Sue Fea talks to architect Michael Sly about how his passive house – one of the first in the region – has stood up to the last few harsh Otago winters. Jessica Allen also looks at how building techniques are becoming more climate-conscious, with ‘green’ architect Chris Norman and his family home.
The world of building and construction is rejuvenating itself. From finding new ways to overcome material shortages to building with the environment in mind, our local industry has a spring in its steps and is looking forwards.
Thinking of building?
Design & Build your new home
Feltham | 153m2
Richmond | 202m2
Fernbrook | 225m2
Kaitake | 268m2
HOWTOBUILDNEW WITH confidence
Chris and Renee King of Signature Homes Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago know a thing or two about building beautiful homes.
“We’re proud Cromwell locals and are very passionate about what we do. Every day I’m out checking our sites, getting excited about all of our new builds underway in the area”, explains Chris.
Whether you start with one of their predesigned plans, design your home from scratch, or choose from one of their House & Land packages, you’ll always have control over the finished product.
Signature Homes Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago take care of all the nuts and bolts, so you can relax and be confident your build is in good hands from start to finish.
On time, on budget, with no nasty surprises, and with New Zealand’s most comprehensive building guarantees –including our fixed price guarantee.
Your Home. Your Way.
Whether you have an idea of your dream home planned out, or you’re just starting your build journey, Signature Homes can help you create a space that’s perfectly in tune with the way you like to live.
One of the many benefits of working with Signature Homes is that you get access to your own team of experts who will be with you every step of the way, including our highly experienced end-to-end Design & Build team.
Why build new?
Choosing to build is a great move, largely because the benefits continue to stack up – from 10-year builder guarantees to the instant equity that’s created when your build is complete. But the biggest benefit? You can build (or choose) a home that’s tailored to you and your lifestyle.
From a lending and investment perspective, new builds are an attractive option. You can usually secure a lower interest rate for a new build and the deposit requirements for a new build are typically lower than they are for an existing property. Furthermore, new builds are exempt from the bright-line test extension and interest deductibility too.
Working with a builder that offers a fixedprice contract can give you confidence that your build cost won’t increase throughout your build.
Build with a Signature Homes Fixed Price Contract
Building with a Signature Homes Fixed Price Contract means that any price increases to materials and services throughout your build are not passed on to you.
The steps to securing a fixed-price build depend on your situation:
Unconditional contract – if you’ve opted for a House and Land package, where the land is already titled, or you already own the land your house will be built on, you could get an unconditional contract and move to a Fixed Price Contract once you’ve made your design decisions.
Contract with PC Sums – PC Sum is a building term for a cost estimate. A contract with a PC Sum occurs when details are yet to be confirmed or further investigative work is required. The most common PC Sum scenarios are Earthworks or customers wanting flexibility on their design choices throughout their build.
Conditional contract – this is where you’re still waiting on your title, for building and/or resource consent, or you don’t have finance approval yet. When a contract is conditional, you’ll agree on a timeframe with your builder on when you’ll be able to meet your conditions. If your conditions are met within this timeframe, you’ll be offered a Fixed Price Contract.
Three tips for starting your new build journey
1. Book in a no-obligation Signature Homes new home workshop. They’ll talk you through the building process and give you an idea of what can be achieved on your section for your budget.
2. Consider a House and Land package, where most of the hard work is done for you. Signature Homes has House & Land packages available in locations throughout Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. They’ll also have a stunning new show home in the prominent Longview development in Lake Hawea, opening in early 2023.
3. If you’re a first home buyer, check to see if you’re eligible for a First Home Grant. The First Home Grant is available from the government to help people into their first home. If you’ve contributed to KiwiSaver for at least three years, you could be eligible. If you are, you could get a $10,000 boost to your deposit for a newly-built home.
Ready to discuss your new build?
Contact the team at Signature Homes Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago today.
Signature.co.nz/franchise/ queenstown-lakes or call 0800 344 422
PEAK INTERIORS: THEEXPERTSIN interiors AND
home staging
New showroom
Peak Interiors has established new premises in a light-filled, airy and spacious 400sqm space at Five Mile. The showroom showcases a wide range of furniture and giftware, plus a range of drapery and upholstery fabrics, blinds, custom tables, barn doors and wardrobe options all under one roof.
Peak Interiors is the longest-established interior design and home staging business in the resort town, with owner Kath Evans notching up 35 years in business.
Recently joined by son Mark, the team specialises in interior design services and home staging for real estate, in addition to running a large retail outlet in Queenstown’s Five Mile Centre. Kath’s years of experience and Mark’s background in commercial design, as well as a property degree ensures they have a wealth of knowledge and skill when it comes to designing a desirable space for clients.
Peak Interiors now offers a range of custom-made furniture, joinery and wardrobes which can be viewed instore.
The team offers home interior services from basic colour consultancy to a full interior design scheme and project management. Kath has a large base of local clients, many of whom she has worked with for a number of years, but also works with overseas customers.
“I’ve got clients based all around the world and to make it easier for them we offer a complete turnkey service for their homes – from picking the colours of the carpet to the linen on the beds, pictures on the walls and all the furniture,” says Kath.
“As well as our own company we work with all the major importers in New Zealand so we’re able to source everything anyone could want for their home. And we even have our own furniture trucks for deliveries!”
Repeat business is a mainstay of how they operate, developing outstanding levels of trust with clients by going the extra mile and “seeing what needs to be done and just doing it”.
With 35 years in the industry it is no surprise that Kath and her team are highly trusted. Kath says she has many clients who call her or pop into the store for some quick advice.
“It’s often little things, someone’s adding a splash of colour, needs a new curtain or a chair to fill a space and just doesn’t know where to start,” she says.
“When they’re clients once, they become clients for life, and often friends.”
Home staging for real estate is a large part of Peak Interiors business. The right staging can often be the difference in selling a house or missing out on a potential buyer.
Kath says there is so much more than making a house ‘look smart’.
“It needs to portray a certain lifestyle to sell. Knowing who the audience is and then creating a look and style that appeals to that audience, makes it so much easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves living there.”
“It’s the largest shop I’ve ever had in Queenstown; people walk in and go ‘wow’,” says Kath.
“I’ve wanted to have a store on this site for several years, and now’s the right time, in the right space, in the perfect location with parking right outside the door.
“To be able to showcase everything we do in one spot is a dream come true.”
The space is large enough to be split into multiple display zones featuring lounge, bedroom and dining table settings.
Colours and textures of suite coverings, cushions, throws and curtain samples range from jewel-like hues to complex weaves, soft wool or sheer voiles.
Those who loved the rich textures and intense colours and patterns of fabrics in the Elvis movie will be delighted to spot designer Catherine Martin’s newest textile and wallcovering collection for Mokum in store.
Beautiful glassware, garden pots, artificial flowers, vases, candles, sheepskin rugs and bedside lamps sit alongside clocks, bar stools, roller blinds and bookshelves. Queenstown artist prints grace the walls alongside NZ prints and a range of mirrors. Everything instore can be purchased and delivered within the Lakes District area in the same day.
Kath says green is the standout colour trend for the spring/summer season.
“It’s a very fresh colour but can also be very calming, being reflective on nature. With a variety of tones, it pairs well with most colours and of course goes beautifully with fresh flowers!”
Peak Interiors has a 30-year relationship with NZ design company French Country Collections and is proud to be French Country’s premium stockist. The full range is available to purchase through Peak Interiors.
Peak Interiors’ Christmas store Holly & Ivy will open from the second week of October. For 2022 Holly & Ivy will be found inside the Peak Interiors showroom with a range of Christmas trees, decorations and wreaths.
MODERNMATERIALSTOBEUSEDIN QUEENSTOWN’S latest development
Paul Taylor investigates the use of mass timber at Lakeview Taumata
Wood is enjoying a renaissance as a construction material for major commercial projects around the world, as developers look to reduce the carbon impact of new buildings.
Mass timber, or engineered timber as it is known in New Zealand, has made that possible.
And it will be a key component of Queenstown’s billion-dollar Lakeview Taumata development when it rises from the former Man Street campground.
Naylor Love Construction will be tasked with making the blueprints a reality, once planning permission is secured by the trans-Tasman consortium behind the project.
Director and co-owner Scott Watson says the company has used mass timber on several projects across the country, including Nelson Airport terminal.
“It’s relatively new in New Zealand but is quite common in Europe and becoming increasingly popular in Australia and the US,” he says.
There are a few different varieties of the material, engineered to be much stronger and more usable than normal timber.
Essentially, they are softwood fibres and panels, layered together, sometimes against the grain, sometimes using glue and other adhesives. They are formed into solid panels, columns or beams.
“All these products use either New Zealand, European or Australian timbers. The engineering, effectively laminating it in different ways, enables us to get the benefits of timber without some of the drawbacks, such as lack of strength and shrinkage.”
CLT, or cross-laminated timber, is the variety that has opened up the most opportunities for architects, engineers and builders, with an inherent strength that can rival concrete and steel construction.
It has been used in projects such as The Haut in the Netherlands, a 73-metre, 21-storey wooden residential building.
For Lakeview Taumata, the buildings will be hybrid construction, using concrete and steel for the foundations, lower levels and a core, with mass timber used for the levels above.
The consortium – Ninety Four Feet, Centuria Capital and Britomart Hospitality Group – has submitted its bid for fast-track Government consent for stage one.
The stage one plan is for 224 residential units and co-living options across five buildings, featuring a public terrace across the fifth floor, with restaurants, bars, coworking spaces, gyms and spas.
Watson, one of the leading advocates of engineered timber in New Zealand, says the main benefit of the material is the reduced environmental impact.
“It’s a sustainable product. It’s grown, there’s not much energy used to convert into the product, and in terms of sequestered carbon, it gives you great upfront carbon savings.”
Production of concrete and steel accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions.
Architect Dean Mackenzie, speaking earlier this year, said it was a “bold decision” to use mass timber for a project of this scale.
But the industry needs to adopt such strategies moving forward, to reduce its impact on climate change, he said.
Watson says encouraging clients to use mass timber in construction is a focus for Naylor Love, showing them how much carbon-saving they can make.
“We’ve built some really cool buildings with it in such as Nelson Airport, a stunning structure, beautiful to be in.”
That’s another of the major benefits of mass timber, the wellness boost from being in a warm natural space.
“If you’re not going to use it as part of the finish, you’re not getting bang for your buck.
“The exposed timber gives the buildings such a great feel, they seem to be a warmer, more pleasant environment. People love to be in timber buildings.”
And it will provide a similar benefit for those walking by, with the timber visible through the windows, set against the forested slopes beyond.
“It’s a really appropriate product for its setting in Queenstown,” Watson says.
Solutions have already been found worldwide to the traditional drawbacks of using wood in large commercial projects, the fire risk and acoustics.
They include using intumescent paint, fire-rated plasterboard, or increasing the thickness of exposed panels to create a char factor, and, for acoustics, installing floating floors above exposed ceilings, and layering with other products.
For seismic standards, Watson says it is possible to design mass timber buildings to meet the regulations, but Lakeview’s concrete and steel foundations and core are a more economical solution.
The aim is to source timber in New Zealand, however, given the quality, quantity and specialised manufacturing of timber needed, it’s likely a proportion will come from an off-shore sustainable supplier.
“It takes a good deal of logistics and planning because you put it together like a Meccano set, so you have to ensure it all arrives on-site at the right time.
“Once there, it’s similar to building with steel, if you imagine picking up a beam with a crane, but timber is actually nicer to work with. It’s lighter and more user-friendly.”
Construction workers will need to adapt a little though, protecting the wooden beams as they are put into place.
“The skills are there, they just need to get used to the details and handling the product, as it is part of the finish. But we’ve got several projects on the go, and the lessons are learned quite quickly.”
Lakeview will provide years of work for Naylor Love’s Queenstown workforce, which numbers about 150, allowing them to forge careers without having to travel around NZ.
Future stages on the 10-hectare elevated site will include more apartments, up to 500 in total, three hotels, more bars, restaurants, art and culture galleries, an expansive public market plaza, green spaces and pocket parks offices and shops. It will take 10 to 15 years to complete, in six stages.
MIXEDFORTUNESFOR residential sector
Paul Taylor looks at how the Queenstown residential market is tracking
FOOP has replaced FOMO in the Queenstown residential property market, with Fear Of Over Paying slowing down sales and volume.
That’s due to rising interest rates and inflation, which have also curbed the runaway growth in house prices in the district, although unlike the rest of the country, they are still not falling.
And people with deep pockets continue to splash the cash on luxury homes across the district, with the $3 million+ sector as strong as ever.
Those are some of the headline takeaways from the 2022-23 Colliers Otago Market Review and Outlook, published last month, which has become the go-to annual review of the multiple property sectors.
Heather Beard, Valuation Director in Colliers’ Queenstown office, says: “Any sharp increases in interest rates will compound the unaffordability of mortgages in the region, particularly where high mortgage to income ratios are in play.
“Those homeowners who have purchased recently and are highly leveraged are at risk of falling into negative equity.”
That could see some forced sales and price adjustments as the pressure comes to bear.
On the whole, many homeowners are likely to opt to sit tight and shelve plans to upsize or upgrade to better homes until the market shows signs of improvement.
Building to get a foot on the property ladder, or move up it, also has its difficulties as inflation drives up the cost of materials and labour.
“The high cost of land and construction will continue to challenge those in the low- and medium-income bracket unless a price adjustment occurs.”
The review also highlights Queenstown Lakes District Council’s plans to introduce Inclusionary Zoning. which it describes as “a new tax on developers” who create new residential sections and on those who seek to build apartments to sell or rent. Revenue generated will be used to fund affordable housing projects.
Some investors are also exiting the residential market due to increasing mortgage rates, coupled with decreasing interest deductibility through to 2024, and the reluctance from banks to back projects.
First home buyers are also weighing the relative costs of buying versus renting, as interest rates increase.
But rents are also rising, returning to pre-Covid levels after a 20% drop, as the resurgence of Airbnb holiday renting has reduced the availability of long-term rental properties on the market.
The median house price this August was $1,250,000, compared to $1.1m in August 2021, according to the Real Estate Institute of NZ stats.
The Colliers review also lists 15 residential developments and subdivisions, such as Koro Ridge, Peninsula Hill, Hogans Gully and Park Ridge, and a dozen key infrastructure and development projects, which show that despite the short-term outlook, the longer-term confidence in Queenstown Lakes remains.
All in all, there are more than four thousand residential properties in the pipeline over the next decade.
The top end of the residential market is also expected to remain largely unaffected by the downturn, “driven by an increase in higher net worth individuals moving into the area and relatively low supply of stock”.
Sales for $3m+ increased by 150% in 2021 and many of the properties planned will be in the luxury bracket. Hogans Gully, for example, is a 132ha site near Arrowtown, which will feature 60 luxury properties and 16 visitor accommodation units, dotted around an 18-hole golf course.
For the rest of the residential sector, however, the confidence of the past five years has been replaced with a “prevailing climate of uncertainty”.
HOWTOBUY art FORYOURHOME
“I have another beautiful piece by Cheree Te Orangaroa Downes. She’s a local Māori artist from Murihiku, Southland (not far from where my house is). I love her artwork and I love sculpture. I was looking for a sculptural piece for my house when I came by this artwork: I love that it is Māori and has flax weaved through the steel. There’s a lot of flax near my home, so it felt particularly relevant.”
Pauline Bianchi established Artbay Gallery in 2004. She began as a freelance art consultant, helping people choose art for their homes and businesses. Later, the business bloomed into a retail gallery and art consultancy in the centre of Queenstown.
The Artbay Gallery Group is based in one of Queenstown’s oldest buildings – the old masonic lodge – and one of its newest –the new Eichardt’s building on Marine Parade. The Lightworx Gallery, which features contemporary art featuring light technology, has enjoyed pop-up exhibition spaces in Sydney and Auckland too.
At the heart of everything Pauline and her team do is guide people to choose the right art for them.
“We start by inviting people into the gallery for a viewing,” explains Pauline. “So we can identify what art styles appeal to them. Once we’ve done that, we show them the full catalogue of works by artists that appeal to them.”
“Then we can do one of two things: we can take the artworks to their homes and try them on the walls, or clients can provide photographs and we can place artworks in situ using Photoshop and email them various options per wall space.”
Pauline says this ‘On Approval’ way of viewing art is an important part of the artbuying process.
“It’s not until you get the artwork home, or see it on your wall, that you realise that it’s perfect for the space – or that it’s not quite right. Appro [On Approval], is an opportunity to find out if it’s right before you make your purchase.”
Interior design trends dictate that art in the bedroom should be a landscape painting or a soft abstract in relaxing blue hues. High-gloss or glass-encased pieces are said to make a statement in the dining room and oil paintings of fruit are an enduring trend in the kitchen.
But Pauline says there’s no should or shouldn’t when it comes to choosing art for your home.
“Your art choices come down to your personal choices. Yes, some people like a tranquil environment so they choose tranquil and natural colours. Others might choose something bold and bright to energise a space.
Bethany Rogers gets to the heart of buying art with gallery owner and art consultant Pauline Bianchi
Pikiora by Cheree Te Orangaroa Downes. This rusted steel and aged brass with green glass piece is in situ, put together in photoshop to help clients envision it in their homes.
“But really, it comes down to your taste. When an artwork captures you, it’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship. It creates a lasting memory. Feelings and emotions are just as important as shape, colour and style.
“Perhaps there’s something in an artwork that evokes a sense of nostalgia for a moment in your life. Sometimes there’s no reason for it, it’s intuitive and there’s something in an artwork that captures you, that makes you fall in love with it.
“Art transforms your space and I believe it makes a house a home. I always say that art has a way of adding love and happiness to life. Then, over your lifetime, an art collection becomes a vehicle through which you express your unique personality.”
Pauline adds that we all experience art differently. Our sensory, emotional, cognitive and even spiritual reaction to an artwork is deeply connected to our personality and sense of self. So she’s keen to tear up the design rulebook when it comes to choosing art.
“All rules are meant to be broken and choosing art is not about following trends,” she says.
“The thing about art collections is, no two are the same. Nobody can copy your art collection. It makes your home as unique as you.”
“People sometimes say to me: ‘oh, I’ve got a really small wall, so I need a small artwork there.’ But there’s a really nice movement towards oversized works in the art world. I adore oversized artwork, I feel it looks quite luxurious when you fill a whole wall with one piece. I’ve got a lot of large artworks in my home.”
Pauline Bianchi stands in front of an artwork by Ilya Volykhine, in her beachside home in Southland
Artwork by Louise McRae in Pauline’s home. Louise creates loose landscapes on reclaimed timber, then splits them into shards and reassembles the pieces onto a board to create a striking and unconventional result.
By Jessica Allen
Spring has sprung and with it comes blue skies, flowers blooming and a temperature rise. It’s time to start packing away the winter woollies and let those plants flourish – authentic greenery, natural wooden browns, rounded furniture, and more use of colour are all on trend for interior design in Spring ’22.
This year we’ve seen a shift away from minimalist, monochromatic design into more textures, patterns, and bold colours – the colour palette is moving towards hues that you’d find in nature. Don’t be afraid to add a pop of blue here, a terracotta accent, or a green feature wall there – and always be sure to incorporate some of your own style, it is your home after all.
Mixing materials
Natural is in – whether it’s woods, clay, stoneware, marble, or plants, we’re seeing an increase. The imperfect and raw nature of organic materials will add depth and mimic the calming effects of being outdoors surrounded by the environment. All this nature can be punctuated with colour and textures. When using natural materials, opt for eco-friendly options such as items that are recycled or that come from certified sustainable sources.
Curves
Softer shapes and angles in your home can make it a much more welcoming and comfortable environment to be in. Contrast is key, so not everything needs to be curved, but add a dash of roundedness into your home for a more feminine and softer feel. Arches and curves can be quite an elegant touch and can be incorporated by way of furniture including curved backs on chairs, demilune tables, and round ottomans.
Greenery
Plant-lovers rejoice, this is your season to shine. The popularity of indoor plants has grown immensely over the past few years, but this year we’re seeing them in design trends more than ever. Think full indoor jungle – big plants, lots of leaves and a little overgrown. Add a bamboo bench with some jungle-printed cushion, and you’ve created yourself a wee oasis. You can also add trimmings of your plants throughout as a decorative feature.
SPRINGINTERIOR design trends
A dash of colour
Finally, permission from the design gods to move away from 50 shades of white and add some personality to our homes again. Colour is back on the menu but in a more subtle way. There’s a shift towards tones taken from nature with a big focus on brown in particular. Take inspiration for colour additions from the world – lush jungle greens, rosy pinks, earthy browns, ocean blues or dusky purples.
Nature is the overarching theme in design moving forward. Explore the world around you, take inspiration from all you see and don’t be afraid to be bold and bring it into your home. It’s time to move away from the sterile shades of white that were yesteryear!
IT’STHE li le things THATMATTER
Sue Fea investigates the tiny house movement
Good things come in small parcels and in the case of tiny houses, sustainable ones with much cheaper power bills.
With the price and availability of housing skyrocketing, some section and landowners are taking the cautious approach, first building a tiny house to live in while they save up for the real McCoy. Some find they’re converted and it’s all they need.
A not so tiny, tiny house
Building a tiny house is not just an option for singles or younger couples. Stepan Skala lives with his partner and their 12-year-old son in their “not so tiny, tiny house”.
The family decided to try tiny house living as an interim option after the pandemic put their house-building plans on hold.
While compact, at 36sqm with a 9 by 3 footprint, it has everything they need. There are three bedrooms; two mezzanine lofts and a separate bedroom-come-TV room for guests downstairs. Two layers of specialist-grade insulation in the walls help to keep the home cosy.
“It’s definitely cosy living. We like it because we can simplify our lives, and it’s nice and warm while not costing us rent or much power,” says Stepan, a Queenstown-based architect and builder.
“We only run a tiny 400-watt electric panel heater and it heats the whole house like a wood burner.”
Even with its larger size and all the trimmings, their tiny house only cost $120,000 to build at the time, excluding labour, as Stepan built it himself.
He and his friend Dugald Peters built their two mobile tiny houses together. Dugald sold his last year for $250,000, amid heightened demand.
“They’re very popular with the shortage of rental accommodation locally and what’s available is expensive, cold and poor quality,” says Stepan.
“If you have land you could do it for $100,000.”
They use a composting toilet and gas for cooking. “It’s a low-cost way of living with our power bills ranging from just $80 to $100 a month.”
“We offered our son the option to close off his room but he likes it as it’s nice to feel connected.”
Since completing their tiny houses, Stepan and Dugald have been sharing their knowledge with others who are curious about the process.
Dugald’s gone on to build and sell another tiny home and says the quality of the home’s build is an important factor.
“I was building one to live in when we had listed our first house, but both Stepan and I have built immensely high spec versions,” he says. “We even imported little log fires from America and our insulation is R-rating – double that of the standard build.”
Small but luxurious
Dugald’s tiny home featured a 4m floor-toceiling window and skylights for a feeling of space.
“Often people build tiny houses and put tiny spaces in them,” he says. “But it’s about that feeling of space and aesthetics. It doesn’t have to be ‘tiny’,” he says.
Dugald and his partner focused on highquality functional materials and finishes that kept the house physically warm in winter and cool in summer. It was such a success they built another one, incorporating a contemporary-style cedar kitchen and wool carpets, creating an inviting space to be in.
“It makes sense to do it properly. We used high-spec ovens and hobs. The first one even had a washer and dryer.”
Dugald says tiny homes aren’t just a money-saving exercise. Built well, they can be practical and luxurious.
For Dugald and his partner, it was the flexibility that made the tiny home concept attractive. “I always like to live on a site when I build and I don’t like being pushed into building too quickly,” he says. “I’d rather get it right, take longer and have the money in the bank, while still living on a lovely piece of land.”
“People are drawn to them as we live in a consumer-based world and we buy a lot of crap,” he says. “Most people are opting for more of a minimalist lifestyle, realising that they don’t need a lot of stuff.”
Dugald’s next project is a 9m, high-end, super-insulated caravan. “We love creating beautiful, properly functional things. We like attention to detail, using fabrics and spaces that create that special feeling.”
Independence, close to nature
For local teacher Elli MacColl, her 24sqm tiny house means independence and a space close to nature after a busy day in the classroom.
Built several years ago, Elli was hands-on in the building process and enjoyed learning new skills as she worked on the home with a builder friend.
Elli used solar power for quite some time until she ran into battery challenges. Power bills during that time only averaged $70 a month. She built on a deck and some outdoor living areas, with two wardrobes fitted under the stairs up to her mezzanine bedroom.
“I’d advise people to think about whether they want to be able to stand up in their bedroom or not. That’s a compromise you may have to make,” she says.
Elli turned her creative eye to the interiors, making a stylish chandelier from deer antlers and using living walls of indoor plants to save on painting and decorating, once again with a focus on sustainability.
She even built a couch in the form of a bench seat with plenty of storage underneath.
The timber benchtop is polished and finished, and the floors are HARO with its wood look, which also makes for a cosier feel.
“It’s very homely. It makes you feel quite connected to nature.”
Photos also decorate the walls and it’s become Elli’s peaceful escape and haven after a busy day.
Though she says she’s had a few ups and downs along the way, Elli says it’s been well worth the journey to have her own space and independence.
Photos by Mary Mitchell
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that everything takes longer than you think.”
TURNINGYOUR dream INTOA reality
Bethany Rogers talks to David Reid Homes about turning dreams into bricks-and-mortar realities
When you have a dream home in mind, you know exactly what you want. But how do you turn your dream into reality?
Without an intimate knowledge of the building industry, tackling the gauntlet of sourcing materials, sorting plans and consents and organising the labour can be fraught with challenges. For many, being hands-on with the design and build of their home isn’t practical, especially when there’s family, life and work to factor in.
It’s this space that custom home builders like David Reid Homes occupy. They have the expertise and knowledge to get the job done and they have access to supply chains. But they’re also specialist enough to take on bespoke projects.
Justine Burke is a sales manager at Mackenzie Homes Queenstown, a franchisee of David Reid Homes. She explains:
“We’re still under the umbrella of a home group builder. So we’re really well looked after nationally and we’ve got great buying power. That’s important right now with everything that’s been happening in the industry.
“However, every home we design is unique and bespoke to the client. It’s an architectural process.”
Justine explains that they’re not in the business of cookie-cutter housing. While the process isn’t right for some clients –first home buyers, for example – it’s ideal for those who want their dream home with all the trimmings built by experts.
In the design process, no stone is unturned. The team works closely with the client to design and select everything in advance so that when it comes to construction, the client only needs to make minimal decisions – they can walk away and let the David Reid team do the hard work.
“We’re different from other home building groups in that this is a very bespoke, client-driven process. We talk to the client about what they want in their dream home and we work with them to create that.
We design the house around the client’s needs and wants, and around their section – the orientation, where the sun hits in the morning.
“We’re a one-stop-shop in that sense. Our clients know what they want, but they don’t have the capacity to manage everything.
“So we look after the design, the build, we talk to them about what’s possible in the budget they have and we can even finish off the landscaping if they want us to.”
David Reid Homes have designed and built many of the homes in Jack’s Point as well as large homes in Arrowtown and Dalefield. The team is also heavily involved in the bespoke homes being built at the new Koko Ridge development.
Set back from the Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway, the 2000m2 plus elevated sections take in views of the surrounding peaks.
“It’s a beautiful development,” says Justine, “it has a similar design aesthetic to Jack’s Point. There are beautiful mountain views and the sections are large. It feels private and out of the way, but it’s a two-minute drive to 5 Mile. You could walk there.”
Design-wise, Justine says “nothing is off the table for our clients”. From uber-modern to traditional pavilion-style homes, the team have designed and built it all. The classic alpine look is a popular aesthetic in this region and is echoed in the show home in Hanley’s Farm.
“It’s clad in beautiful schist and charred larch. It’s a pavilion-style home with classic alpine materials and a lot of people are drawn to that. Local materials, like the gorgeous natural stone we have here, are a favourite and along with the charred larch, which is low-maintenance.
“But it’s whatever suits the client. Everything we do is so bespoke.”
When it comes to turning a dream home into a reality, Justine says it’s the combination of a local, specialised team with national connections that comes into play.
“We often get unusual requests and that’s where being part of a national company is a big advantage for our clients. We can call Auckland, Christchurch or Dunedin or our head office in Wellington and say: hey, look, our client wants to do this. Has anyone done this before? We can leverage that. We’re like one big family.”
“We’re in a different space in the market,” adds Justine, “what we design and create are forever homes, spaces that people have been dreaming of for years. Anything is possible. And it’s fantastic to be a part of that.”
“What we design and create are forever homes or they’re the big family holiday homes; spaces that people have been dreaming of for years. It’s fantastic to be a part of that.”
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ANENCHANTINGTOUROF Chantecler
Lauren Prebble experiences a private Queenstown garden of national significance
In the height of summer, two friends and I took the third exit off the Shotover Ladies Mile round-a-bout. We flashed the indicator shortly after and drove down the drive that displayed the roadside sign ‘Chantecler’.
I’d only recently heard that tucked away down this drive was a private garden of national significance. Five hectares of carefully curated gardens on a Lower Shotover property spanning 16 hectares. Who knew a place in Queenstown boasted such a title?! Especially considering our climate is dry and of altitude.
We parked down below and walked up; under the shaded canopy of mature trees and to the noise of falling water. The owner and gardening guru, Mike Henry, was at the entrance just wrapping up a guided tour.
The retired South African businessman got busy in his garden in 2006. Since then, he’s been hooked on the hobby and has taken it to the limit.
He completely transformed the original pastoral property into an oasis of seasonal colour.
The entrance to the main house was buzzing with bees on French and Portuguese lavender in a tidy open courtyard.
The vista continued up. A lush green lawn separated the fruit orchard from the nursery and the private pool house.
The romanticism of different cultures was reflected in gardens throughout the section but the French and Tuscan influences were particularly palpable.
‘Mass planting’ is a popular phrase among gardening circles and Mike used that word to full effect. Instead of planting 10 lavender plants, he planted 2000. The method was repeated and the garden grew.
Gravitating around the side of the house, was a view of the Remarkables with a bank of robust tree rhododendrons in the foreground. A native to South Africa and a firm favourite of Mike’s. Mixed in with Azaleas there were about 1000 of them sloping down.
An English ‘White Garden’ was to the left with suitably coloured roses and peonies. We ascended the hill, past the pool house, past the spent peony farm, until we entered an entirely different experience. Gravel paths were bordered with Japanese maples in a variety of burnt, lime and gold colours. A constructed rock pond at the summit added to the serenity of this oriental hideaway.
Mike employs two gardeners to help maintain the property. They propagate onsite adding more to the mass and the grandeur of the place.
Heading down the hill were whole fields spilling with dahlias, sedums, Echinops, echinacea, cosmos and rudbeckia. All the cottage delights that made the young garden enthusiast in me sing.
Maintaining the large trees has provided a shelter belt for low-lying plants to thrive. The property is linked to the Arrowtown River irrigation scheme so access to water sustains the needs of his abundance of botanical bodies. Shelter, water and selecting/propagating climatized plants have meant far away varieties have been able to get accustomed to our conditions.
Making our way back down the drive we weave through the woodland forest. Hosta and ferns have taken residence in this dapple light. Hydrangeas grow here too – there’s a row of the popular florist flower limelight and a special selection of the Japanese hybrid variety Mai-ko.
Deep in the forest, an old tree hut with toys left outside reminds us that this is still someone’s home.
What Michael has created with his partner Maureen is truly a spectacle.
With spring on our doorstep, I’m thinking it’s worth returning to the Chantecler gardens to witness a new garden on display.
TURNINGUPTHEHEAT, naturally
He’d have to be the poster boy for passive housing in the Whakatipu, launching into the concept when few others were brave enough to try. That punt is now paying off for former Wellington design agency ownerturned-environmental entrepreneur Michael Sly and partner Jodi Lynes.
Their beautiful barn-style home in Speargrass Flat has successfully cruised them through five harsh Whakatipu winters, maintaining an average indoor temperature of 20 to 22 degrees, without any form of active heating. There’s no heat pump, fireplace, gas, underfloor, or other forms of heating anywhere in the house.
“We were testing if you could build a home in this climate with no heating at all,” says Michael. “It’s been a game changer.”
Previously, they lived further up the hill in an older property and their power bill is now 90% less.
“For the same size house, including firewood, we were spending $12,000 a year on heating as we had a young child to keep warm,” he says.
“This house costs us $800 to $1000 a year.”
They moved in 2017 and during their first few winters their daughter, Olive, now 10, would unwittingly dress for pre-school in her summer dresses when it was still minus 8 degrees outside, says Michael.
Building a passive home
Since then their home has attracted a lot of interest and has been used by others as a case study to prove what’s possible.
It was a first for the region when Michael started exploring the idea about seven years ago.
“I think I came across Passivhaus from Germany and I had to use Google Translate just to learn all about it. […] I just felt my way, but it was a long journey.”
There were no building delays though. Michael and Jodi imported their ready-made kit-set passive house from the United States and, together with help from builders, Michael built and assembled it in a few days.
“It was like doing a giant Lego project, using a very large Allen key and screwdriver, and Camlock fittings to connect each panel. The panel blocks are made from high-density foam core and sealed with airtight wrap.”
Thick, special insulated sliding doors also keep the heat in. Using materials with insulating properties is key. Aluminium window frames are out. Wooden floors are in. Specialist triple glazing is essential, but blinds and curtains aren’t needed – only for privacy, or to darken a room.
Air tightness is another key ingredient, with tape used to negate even the tiniest of drafts. The final vital factor is ventilation.
The heart of the home’s success is centred on a heat recovery ventilation unit that’s neatly disguised behind a sliding door in a hallway.
“This keeps the house filled with beautiful fresh air that’s warm,” says Michael.
Outside air coming into the house is warmed by warm air coming out, all at about 80% to 90% efficiency.
Sunlight, body heat and cooking all contribute to the home’s temperature. When Jodi’s cooking – something she may do more of on a cold day to bump up the temperature – the system senses that and turns up a notch.
Michael and Jodi avoid all the local energy power surges and problems from power cuts that may affect the neighbours. Not only that, they’ve avoided the skyrocketing energy costs.
Sue Fea talks to Michael Sly about passive house design
It’s the perfect sustainable option, says Michael.
“We use 90% less off the national power grid than in our previous home.”
Unused energy is used to power their electric car. Michael estimates he gets 50km to 80km of driving per day from the energy that’s not used in the house.
“We’d turn the TV on and pull up a photo of a fire on a log burner, but the house was already 20 degrees.”
During the first winter in their passive home, the only challenge was getting used to the idea of a home with no heating.
“We’d been used to burning firewood and it was hard to feel warm if it was grey or cold outside,” says Michael.
“We’d turn the TV on and pull up a photo of a fire on a log burner, but the house was already 20 degrees.”
Despite outside temperatures of minus 8 degrees (and occasionally even lower), the home’s inside temperature remained warm.
“We were never cold. It’s the most, crazy experience. It’s quite surreal. It’s a comfort like you’ve never experienced.”
Incredibly, they can even leave a door open for half an hour and the house will maintain its heat. The process works in the reverse during summer and Michael and Jodi have perfectly designed wooden shutters that slide across the European windows, acting as a shade from the hot sun during summer.
Needless to say, the experiment was a huge success. Michael believes passive housing will be the way of the future, saving energy, resources and costs. Homes in Europe are already being built new, or retro-fitted, to passive housing standards.
“If the savings we’ve gained so far continue we will save $60,000 to $70,000 in compounding interest on a 20-year mortgage,” explains Michael.
“I think we will see a lot more of this. We’re seeing the impact of high energy costs. They’re always going up so if you can rationalise your energy needs like this then it’s contributing to the solution.
“Increasing numbers of overseas homeowners are already altering their houses to convert them to passive heating. […] It’s the way of the future.”
QUEENSTOWN’S guardian OFTHE past
Sue Fea finds out why Jackie Gillies is so passionate about preserving heritage buildings.
Jackie Gillies is Queenstown’s guardian of the past. But after more than 30 years battling to save the district’s precious old buildings, the renowned heritage architect has called it quits on her beloved Queenstown.
Jackie and her husband, long-time Queenstown lawyer Warwick Goldsmith, have recently moved to Auckland. Despite being retired, Jackie just can’t help saving the past.
“We’ve bought a place in Auckland and I’m already involved in two heritage projects up here in Devonport – fundraising for one and writing submissions for another.”
She’s found her northern niche – a group of like-minded people, equally as passionate as she is about restoring and re-purposing the city’s precious heritage buildings.
It was a constant battle she fought during her 34 years in Queenstown, most of them operating her architecture practice, specialising in heritage architecture.
An outspoken advocate for the Whakatipu’s relics from the past, Jackie wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, until local powers that be and property owners had no choice but to succumb to her persistent persuasion.
As a result, many of Queenstown’s treasured old buildings have been preserved and restored, particularly along the Marine Parade waterfront. She likes to think of it as ‘making a nuisance of herself’ and that nuisance factor hasn’t always won her favour with various civic leaders: “But I’m proud of that,” she smiles.
Top of the list of her triumphs would be the darling downtown Williams Cottage which she’s been pushing to save and preserve since she first settled in Queenstown in 1988.
She was part of a very early group that stopped the demolition or relocation of Williams Cottage.
“I’ve been fighting for it more than restoring it,” she says.
“We set up the Queenstown Heritage Trust to protect and preserve it. It was set up so we could own the property and fundraise for it.”
She chaired that trust from 1995 until this year. The quaint lakefront cottage, built in 1864, was bought with help from the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
“The council agreed to buy it on the condition we repaid them half of the purchase cost of $400,000 and paid for all the repair work. We raised $375,000 in total.”
Williams Cottage has survived many floods, including the 500-yearrecord-breaking flood of 1999. Built in 1864, it’s Queenstown’s oldest house and it features original 1920s wallpaper put up by one of the cottage’s many owners. These days, it’s a design store and gift shop.
The work to fit Williams Cottage with fire sprinklers finished a year ago after a devastated Jackie looked on in horror at the rubble left when two of her other Category 1 heritage projects were destroyed by fire. The loss of Paradise House – a project especially dear to her was heart-breaking after lightning hit a telephone wire, and Mount Aurum homestead fell victim to a fire started by illegal campers.
Queenstown Bay’s beautiful Bathhouse was another victory for Jackie. She rescued it from demolition and moved her offices into the converted building. Later, it became a restaurant, with additions designed to reflect the original changing rooms.
Saving the town’s architectural history
Jackie has been instrumental in saving much of the lakefront promenade. She’s consulted on many restoration projects, ensuring every minute detail reflects the original architecture. Among the notches in her belt are the cottage which is now Botswana Butchery, another cottage next door, and the Lake Lodge of Ophir on the Church Street corner.
She worked as a heritage consultant on Eichardt’s after the ’99 flood and assisted with the Mountaineer Building’s restoration. She’s also helped to save the Courthouse (built in 1876 and now a pub named for that year), the old council municipal chambers (now Speights Ale House) and the adjacent Forrester’s Lodge.
“I really made a nuisance of myself there,” she says. “These lodges were really important in pre-social security days as they provided support if miners or foresters were sick or died.”
After all these years she’s still unsure as to why it’s such a battle to save old buildings.
“I wish I knew,” she says. “Big corporates love offices in old buildings with exposed brick walls and trusses. I thought I was seeing a change in the South Island until the earthquakes in 2011. It’s been too much of a battle so we’re moving on,” she says.
“It’s the right move for me.”
Raised and educated in architecture in the UK, Jackie returned to the UK in 2002 to study further in heritage architecture, her two young children in tow. It was the fulfilment of a long-held desire and passion.
During her university years, Jackie did her thesis on adaptive reuse in a different form – long before it was fashionable. It’s something she’s perusing again now that she’s retired.
“If I’d stayed in England I’d be converting warehouses, barns and industrial buildings,” she says. “Now I’m retired I’m making clothes, quilts and cushions from old curtains and teaching myself woodwork.”
Despite going full circle, Jackie won’t be dropping her defence of New Zealand’s heritage and she’s hoping someone else will continue to carry the baton in Queenstown.
“I have the courage to believe that adaptive reuse is possible, feasible and profitable and very sustainable.”
“I really made a nuisance of myself there”
STUNNINGAND sustainable
Jessica Allen talks to architect Chris Norman about his sustainable courtyard house
Chris Norman of Chaney & Norman Architects has built a stunning energyefficient family home to call his own in Albert Town. Boasting views of the surrounding mountains, the high-performing thermally efficient house was built on a budget, without the need to skimp on good design. These Wanaka-based architects focus on creating sustainable architecture with personality.
Chris has worked as an architect for many years and has been living in Wanaka since 2003. Before that, he was in the UK and he also has experience in Canada. Upon relocating here, he realised that New Zealand’s building industry was falling behind, especially when it came to sustainability.
“When we came back from the UK – over there they’re miles ahead in sustainability in building technologies – I was quite keen to implement some of that knowledge, but there was very little happening in that sector back then,” says Chris.
“Fortunately, in the last five years it’s starting to step up, so there are a lot more technologies available. New Zealand is a bit of a funny place in that the areas where we need really good thermal performing, energy-efficient buildings are in the south and there’s a lesser population – that’s been one of the challenges.”
The site of the courtyard house was the last vacant lot in the original stage of Riverside Park, so the surrounding residencies had to be considered when creating an outdoor space.
The courtyard area captures the summer sun from mid-morning to late afternoon and is sheltered from the typical northwesterly summer breeze.
The house has been built using a unique panel system called SIPs – structural insulated panels. The panels consist of an insulating foam core that’s sandwiched between two structural-facing, rigid boards. It keeps the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer than traditional framing and insulation methods.
“It’s been amazing. The comfort year-round is so much better than a standard home. There’s a good part of the year where we see our neighbours lighting fires – we have good solar gain in winter because of the way we’ve designed it, and it’s just so much more comfortable to walk around without having to light the fire or add heating.
“The house, in some ways, was wanted to be an example for potential clients to show them a more of a minimal range home that doesn’t have a super big budget, and what you can actually do with that moderate budget and improving living. The configuration of our house is based on giving our two teenagers a bit more independence in the house, so we configured different zones. While they can have their own space, we’re all in reasonably close proximity to each other,” says Chris.
Each living space in the house opens up to the courtyard, including a guest suite that could be utilised as an office in the future. It was really important for Chris and his
family to have an outdoor space, but one that was out of the wind and was able to soak up some sun, which they’ve achieved. Different parts of the house see the sun and shade at various times of the day.
“In the summertime, the sun’s quite high so it comes over the top of the courtyard. We’re sheltered [from the wind] by the living wing and that’s quite a shallow plan, so you’re looking through the living wing you see the mountain views of Mount Maude and Mount Gold. That’s something we use quite frequently in all of our designs – just a space to get out of the wind.”
Sustainability was a big consideration for Chris and is at the forefront of all work at Chaney & Norman Architects. They create homes that are energy efficient with a high level of thermal performance. They focus on delivering warm, healthy and comfortable homes to live in. When it came to Chris’ house they used New Zealand-grown Redwood for the cladding and plywood for the ceilings. The timber visible within the house has been oiled, rather than varnished or painted. Working with the material’s natural properties rather than applying finishes on top was a big focus. The home was completed in 2015 and the house has developed over the years.
“It’s adapted over time. Those young teenagers? One is away from home now but comes back to visit. The house has quite easily adapted from having quite young kids to a bunch of adults in there now. If we have people staying, we’re not all falling over each other, which is really nice,” says Chris.
You can read more about Chris’ home and find out more about Chaney & Norman Architects on their website (chaneynorman.nz).
Acknowledgments
Editorial Content
Bethany Rogers
Jessica Allen
Lauren Prebble
Paul Taylor
Sue Fea
Advertising
Catherine Mercer
Kylee Evans
Design
Patricia W. Becker
Cover Images
- Front cover: Lakeview | Taumata, artist impression
- Back cover: Pikiora by Cheree Te Orangaroa Downes (artbay.co.nz)
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