Country chic

What are the ingredients of an idyllic lifestyle block? Undoubtedly picturesque views are right up there on the list, along with easy access. However, a truffiére or truffle farm is probably not a feature most of us would ever consider.

But a truffiére is just one of the many points of difference at Te Arai Estate, a new gated subdivision just one hour ten minutes north of the Auckland CBD. Developed by Southpark Corporation, the lifestyle estate comprises 25 sites, ranging in size from 0.6ha to a massive 54ha.

The countryside features rolling hills, dotted with mature trees, including mature English oaks and hazelnuts, and is now producing truffles. But truffle farming is just one option most sites have enough land to run livestock, or an olive farm or orchard.

Project manager James Sax says a residents' association is already in place, and there is a covenant requiring a minimum build cost of $500,000, which will maintain the exclusive nature of the subdivision.

Southpark Corporation has just completed the first house, which is open by appointment. Sax says the design, by Archimedia architect Lindsay Mackie, references traditional farm buildings, with the house comprising three linked gabled volumes. Most rooms open out to expansive terraces, all have sea views out to the Hen and Chicken Islands, and there is an alfresco living area beneath a large overhang.

The interior, by Melanie Sax Interior Design, is contemporary, with a country twist. The walls, ceiling and exposed beams in the large, open-plan living area are painted off white, and strong, textural elements have been introduced in the furnishings, logs and hearth.

At 264m², the house is large it includes a 40m² loft space with tongue-and-groove ceiling.

Maximising the spectacular views was an obvious priority for the Archimedia design team. Not surprisingly, most rooms open up to the outdoors with either large stacker, bifold or sliding doors.

An extensive range of ASL Residential Series aluminium joinery fabricated by Elite North Harbour was specified for the project. Elite North Harbour general manager Joanna Jin says almost every product from the Residential Series features in the house.

"The only exception is the front door. This is a large pivot door that needs to support a considerable weight, so we recommended using joinery from the Commercial Series."

The joinery, which is powdercoated with an Endura Bronze finish, incorporates four-panel sliding doors, three-panel stacker doors and half-opening sliding doors. There are also bifold doors, fixed awning windows and a high raked triangular clerestory window.

Clear glass was used for all the doors and windows, which are double glazed to enhance the insulation benefits. The joinery is teamed with distinctive hardware from the Aria Furniture collection by Assa Abloy.

Colour plays a significant role in the design of the house the contrast between the dark exterior and off-white interior helps to define the architectural features.

Resene paints were specified for the project, with Resene CoolColour, tinted to Resene Bokara Grey chosen for the exterior. Resene CoolColour is formulated to reflect more of the sun's infrared rays than a standard colour, which helps to keep the paint, surface and home cooler.

A secondary benefit is that the reduced stress on the coating and substrate will help to increase the expected lifetime of each, compared to the standard version of the colour.

The interior features Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, a waterborne enamel that provides a tough, durable finish, tinted to Resene Alabaster. Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream features in the master bedroom, while bathroom window surrounds and internal doors are in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Bokara Grey. All the colours were chosen from the Resene The Range Whites & Neutrals fandeck, a collection of the most popular Resene whites and neutrals.

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Mark Carter and Jamie Cobel