Contemporary classic

Contemporary living is as much about taking the best from traditional lifestyles as it is about suiting a modern world. Today's homeowners are looking to strike a balance between comfort and practicality.

The home featured on these pages by Richard Davidson Builders has a European countenance that merges a rustic aesthetic with modern sensibilities, says director Richard Davidson.

"The owners wanted a property with a Tuscan influence that was both well suited to a rural New Zealand lifestyle and incorporated the all-important indoor-outdoor flow."

High on the list of must-haves was a home that featured solid construction, and offered year-round comfort and a sustainable level of quiet from external and internal disturbances.

"More and more of my clients, especially those building in rural areas, are turning to solid masonry as the building material of choice the primary reason being that it answers all of those requirements," says Davidson.

As well as a solid masonry exterior, the home also has a solid concrete mid-floor. Other sound-proofing applications include the clay tile roof and laminated glass used for bedroom windows.

Temperature control is another benefit of the thermal properties of the materials used in construction, says Davidson.

"The internal temperature of the house never fluctuates more than two or three degrees, making it a very comfortable home in which to live, despite its size and open flow."

With more than 20 years' industry experience, Davidson founded Richard Davidson Builders in 1999, and now specialises in masonry residences.

For more details, contact Richard Davidson Builders, PO Box 413, Silverdale, Auckland, phone (09) 426 6661, fax (09) 426 6681, freephone 0800 Solidone (765 436). Email: rdb.ltd@xtra.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas