Great escape Lockwood home at the lake

While there is much to be said for nostalgic holidays in the family bach, there may come a time when you want to explore the potential of that exceptional waterfront site.

That's exactly what the owners of this new home did. When their run-down bach was no longer appropriate for their needs, Graeme and Sharryn McLaughlin looked at alternatives for the site.

The solution for the couple was a custom-designed and built Lockwood home that maximised the lake views.

Peter Richards, Lockwood franchisee for Taupo, says the pair also wanted the home to blend in with the natural surroundings. As well, the house needed to work for just the two owners, yet be large enough for the extended family.

"We worked closely with architect Jorgen Frandsen of Ambienti Team Architects the Lockwood franchisee for Tauranga who came up with a design that comprised three square cedar-clad pods linked by fully glazed breezeways," says Richards. "These large pods are stepped back from the lake so they all afford views. The architect built a model for the clients, complete with a lift-off roof. This helped the owners visualise the finished house."

The pod closest to the lake accommodates the master suite, a library-home office area and a second bedroom and bathroom. The central pod contains the open-plan living area and kitchen. The third pod houses a self-contained apartment and garage.

Living areas and bedrooms open out to extensive terraces, including a covered alfresco area with an outdoor fireplace and overhead louvres.

Blonded pine lines walls and ceilings in the living area and breezeways. Clear-grade wood was specially selected to be knot free, which enhances the lake house aesthetic.

"The ceiling in the main living area is supported by four ridge beams and features a pyramid skylight," says Richards. "The entire roof appears to float above narrow clerestories that run around the top of each pod."

The owners say they are delighted with their new low-maintenance home.

"The house has turned out exactly to plan there's not a single thing we would change, from the design through to all the finishing touches. Specifying clear-grade pine was more expensive and did require an extra effort to source, but the results are well worthwhile it has added an extra dimension to the look of the house."

For details and the address of your nearest show home, contact Lockwood, phone 0508 Lockwood (562 596). Website: www.lockwood.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas